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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Josh Shapiro |
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House passes Shapiro legislation to bring doctors to Pennsylvania
and strengthen the state's health-care system
HARRISBURG, June 10 – A proposal by state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s health-care system by encouraging more doctors to practice medicine in the Commonwealth was adopted today by the state House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill 1 by a vote of 187-5.
"Today, the House of Representatives took a major step forward in addressing the health-care crisis in our Commonwealth by ensuring that we will attract and retain high-quality doctors to deliver top-notch health care to Pennsylvanians," Shapiro said.
Shapiro’s proposal would create a medical school loan forgiveness program for primary care doctors and OB/GYNs who agree to practice in Pennsylvania for 10 years. Qualified participants would receive 10 percent of their total medical school loan debt each year for 10 years. If a participant failed to practice in Pennsylvania for the full 10 years, he or she would be required to pay back the payments from the state. Under the legislation, primary care doctors include doctors in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology.
"With 41 percent of doctors set to retire or leave Pennsylvania in the next 10 years, 48 percent over 50 years old, and just 7 percent under the age of 34, all while our health care needs are growing, we have a crisis brewing in Pennsylvania. Without a plan like the House passed today, we will not have enough primary care doctors and OB/GYNs in Pennsylvania to meet our citizens’ needs."
A final vote on House Bill 1 is expected on Monday.
Shapiro represents the 153rd Legislative District in Montgomery County. For more information, visit www.pahouse.com/Shapiro.
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CONTACT: Matt Vahey
Office of Rep. Josh Shapiro
Phone: 215-260-0090
Fax: 215-517-6828
Email: mvahey@pahouse.net