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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Diana Wogan |
State Rep. Josh Shapiro |
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Shapiro bill will help Pa. attract and keep doctors
HARRISBURG, April 16 -- State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, introduced legislation today that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s health-care system by encouraging more doctors to practice medicine in the Commonwealth.
Currently, Pennsylvania is failing to attract and retain doctors. Shapiro said he believes it is imperative to reverse this trend if Pennsylvania hopes to keep its health-care system strong, viable and sustainable.
Shapiro’s proposal (H.B. 1093), which has 23 co-sponsors, would create a medical school loan forgiveness program for doctors who promise to practice in Pennsylvania for 10 years.
“We already have world-class medical schools that attract top medical school students to Pennsylvania,” Shapiro explained. “The problem is, because of a variety of factors, those students leave Pennsylvania when they graduate med school. My legislation creates incentives to keep those doctors in Pennsylvania to practice and care for our citizens.”
“Any measure which can affect our ability to retain the best and the brightest young physicians would be welcome relief to the serious and growing physician work force demands in the Commonwealth,” explained Dr. John J. Kelly, chief of staff at Abington Memorial Hospital, which is located in Shapiro's legislative district.
Shapiro said the Pennsylvania health-care community is applauding the bill as a way to keep doctors in Pennsylvania. James M. Redmond, senior vice president of legislative services for the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania said, “The expansion of loan forgiveness programs is one important way we can make Pennsylvania more physician-friendly.”
Shapiro is deputy speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and represents the 153rd Legislative District in Montgomery County. For more information about Shapiro, please visit www.pahouse.com/Shapiro.
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