Bill would expand physician reentry programs

A bill to streamline the physician reentry process, introduced last month by U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) last month, has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R.5498, the Primary Care Physician Reentry Act, would establish a grant program for medical schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations to create or expand their physician reentry programs. In addition, the bill would give physicians a streamlined process for credentialing and continuing medical education to return to medical practice after an absence. Funding could also be used to assist with credentialing fees, loan repayments and salaries, according to a press release from Sarbanes’ office.

In return for this assistance, these physicians would serve at community health centers, VA medical centers, or school-based health centers, where primary care physicians are in short supply. Participating physicians would be able to practice on a full- or part-time basis and would be covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which provides physicians with medical liability protection.

Source: Sarbanes.house.gov, Congress.gov