California bill would speed some physician license approvals

A bill to expedite license approvals for physicians who will practice in medically underserved areas passed the California Legislature last week and was headed for the governor’s desk. Assembly Bill 1288 requires the Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California to develop a priority review process for applicants who can show plans to work in a medically underserved area or with a medically underserved population.

The bill will not change California’s standards for physicians; rather, it will give priority to applicants willing to serve areas and populations with the greatest need, the Sacramento Business Journal reported. Rural areas and communities with high concentrations of low-income and minority residents have a particularly hard time attracting physicians.