Bill May Reward Primary Care Doctors

[tony montana]

Bill May Reward Primary
Care Doctors

Last Edited: Thursday, 09 Apr 2009, 1:32 PM CDT
Created On: Thursday, 09 Apr 2009, 1:18 PM CDT

ANDREA WATKINS
HOUSTON - Health care professionals say a doctor shortage in the state of Texas needs the attention of state legislators.

Representatives from Houston-area clinics announced their support on Thursday for HB 1876 to create the Texas Health Care Access Fund. It would provide an incentive for medical students to become primary care physicians, by reimbursing them for education costs in exchange for a commitment to practice medicine in underserved communities.

According to the Department of State Health Services, there are currently 26 counties who have no primary care physician. In 18 counties around the state, there is only one primary care physician. People living in 46 counties have no dentist.

The proposed legislation would generate $50 million dollars in new tax revenue by increasing the taxes on smokeless tobacco.

Currently, the state collects $90 million that goes to property taxes and the general fund. The new taxes would collect a total of $140 million and all the incremental funds collected would go to doctors in underserved communities.


http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/health/090409_texas_house_bill_primary_care

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[deleted87716]

Virginia recently increased the tax on cigarettes, too. None of that revenue is going towards increasing the number of primary care physicians, unfortunately.

However, Chantix is looking cheaper every day.

 

[tony montana]

None of that revenue is going towards increasing the number of primary care physicians, unfortunately

Wouldn't this incentive directed at medical students choosing primary care specialties potentially impact the # of students choosing primary care?

However, Chantix is looking cheaper every day

Does that stuff work or what?

 

[DrJosephKim]

We need stronger incentives to motivate students into the current model of primary care. Of course, others may be tempted to employ boutique models of practice to increase their revenues.