Second Regular Session
Seventy-third General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 22-0295.02 Christy Chase x2008
HOUSE BILL 22-1050
House Committees Senate Committees
Health & Insurance
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING FACILITATING TH E INTEGRATION OF INTERNATIONAL101
MEDICAL GRADUATES INTO THE COLORADO HEALTH -CARE102
WORKFORCE.103
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
Section 1 of the bill makes legislative declarations and findings
regarding the shortage of health-care providers in the state, the presence
of qualified, internationally trained medical professionals in the state, the
ability of those professionals to assist the state in addressing health-care
workforce needs, the barriers to entry into the health-care workforce these
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Ricks,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Buckner,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing statute.
Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute. professionals face, and the need to reduce those barriers to facilitate the
integration of these professionals into the state's health-care workforce.
Section 2 establishes the following 2 programs in the department
of labor and employment (CDLE) to assist international medical
graduates (IMGs) seeking to integrate into the state's health-care
workforce:
! The IMG assistance program, the purpose of which is to
provide direct services to IMGs, including a review of an
IMG's education, training, and experience to recommend
appropriate next steps for integrating IMGs into the state's
health-care workforce; technical support through the
credential evaluation process; and scholarships to assist in
defraying the medical licensure process; and
! The clinical readiness program, the purpose of which is to
provide curriculum for and assessments of IMGs to help
them build the skills necessary to enter a medical residency
program.
Section 2 also directs the executive director of CDLE to include
in its annual report to the general assembly pursuant to the "State
Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART)
Government Act" information about the IMG assistance program, the
clinical readiness program, and any progress made in addressing barriers
IMGs face in securing positions in medical residency programs.
Section 3 authorizes the executive director of the department of
regulatory agencies (DORA), subject to available funding, to award
funding to medical residency programs to provide additional residency
positions dedicated to qualified IMGs and directs the executive director
of DORA to report on any funding awarded for this purpose as part of
DORA's annual report to the general assembly pursuant to the "State
Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART)
Government Act".
With regard to requirements for licensure under the "Colorado
Medical Practice Act" (act):
! Section 4 defines "IMG" for purposes of the act;
! Section 5 reduces the length of postgraduate clinical
training that an IMG must complete to qualify for a
medical license from up to 3 years to one year; and
! Section 6 allows an IMG to obtain a reentry license if the
IMG has a current or expired international medical license
and meets Colorado medical board-specified qualifications
and requirements, including an assessment of the IMG's
competency to practice.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
HB22-1050-2- SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly1
finds that: 2
(a) A 2020 study by the Association of American Medical3
Colleges estimates that the United States could see a shortage of between4
54,100 and 139,000 physicians by 2033;5
(b) By 2030, Colorado is expected to have a statewide shortage of6
over 2,400 physicians;7
(c) As of January 2022, Colorado has 123 areas designated as8
primary care health professional shortage areas;9
(d) As of 2017, there were approximately 3,000 immigrants in10
Colorado whose health-related undergraduate degrees were underutilized,11
2,000 of whom received their education outside of the United States;12
(e) Between 1,200 and 1,900 patients can be served for each13
additional physician that is added to Colorado's workforce; and14
(f) According to the National Resident Matching Program: 15
(I) In 2021, international medical graduates (IMGs) represented 21% of16
medical residency matches nationwide compared to only 4.2% in17
Colorado; and18
(II) Only 2.5% of IMGs matched to a Colorado residency program19
in the past decade.20
(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that:21
(a) Colorado faces an ongoing shortage of physicians, while, at22
the same time, Coloradans who received their medical degrees and23
training and practiced as licensed physicians outside of the Unites States24
are underutilized and face prohibitive barriers to joining the health-care25
workforce in Colorado;26
(b) Supporting the integration of IMGs into the Colorado27
HB22-1050
-3- health-care workforce helps Coloradans across the state and increases1
access to qualified providers;2
(c) IMGs are uniquely situated to use their diverse backgrounds,3
experiences, language, and cultural skills to provide enhanced care to4
diverse patients and communities;5
(d) At the request of the governor and 12 state legislators, the6
nurse-physician advisory task force for Colorado health care (NPATCH)7
examined the issue of licensure pathways for IMGs and issued its8
recommendations on August 6, 2021; and9
(e) In order to help address health-care provider shortages in the10
state and position Colorado to benefit from much-needed and unrealized11
medical expertise in local communities, it is important to enact policies12
to provide qualified IMGs a pathway to licensure and into the state's13
health-care workforce.14
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 87 to title15
8 as follows:16
ARTICLE 8717
International Medical Graduates18
Pathway to Health-care Workforce19
8-87-101. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS ARTICLE 87, UNLESS THE20
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :21
(1) "A
SSISTANCE PROGRAM" MEANS THE IMG ASSISTANCE22
PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 8-87-102.23
(2) "C
LINICAL PROGRAM" MEANS THE CLINICAL READINESS24
PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 8-87-103.25
(3) "C
OLORADO MEDICAL BOARD " MEANS THE COLORADO26
MEDICAL BOARD CREATED IN SECTION 12-240-105.27
HB22-1050
-4- (4) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND1
EMPLOYMENT.2
(5) "E
XECUTIVE DIRECTOR" MEANS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF3
THE DEPARTMENT OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 'S DESIGNEE.4
(6) "I
NTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATE " OR "IMG" MEANS A5
PHYSICIAN WHO RECEIVED A BASIC MEDICAL DEGREE OR QUALIFICATIONS6
FROM A MEDICAL SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA.7
(7) "P
ROGRAM PARTICIPANT" MEANS AN IMG PARTICIPATING IN8
THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR THE CLINICAL PROGRAM .9
(8) "T
HIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR " OR "THIRD PARTY TO10
ADMINISTER" MEANS THE GRANTEE SELECTED BY THE EXECUTIVE11
DIRECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-87-102 (1) TO ADMINISTER THE12
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, INCLUDING RECEIVING GRANT FUNDS AND TAKING13
ON THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM , WHICH INCLUDES14
PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND REPORTING15
TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.16
(9) "USMLE"
MEANS THE UNITED STATES MEDICAL LICENSING17
E
XAMINATION, A THREE-STEP EXAMINATION FOR MEDICAL LICENSURE IN18
THE UNITED STATES.19
8-87-102. IMG assistance program - creation - services -20
report. (1) T
HE IMG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED IN THE21
DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL22
GRADUATES WISHING TO REESTABLISH THEIR MEDICAL CAREERS IN THIS23
STATE. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL CONTRACT WITH A THIRD PARTY24
TO ADMINISTER THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE25
"P
ROCUREMENT CODE", ARTICLES 101 TO 112 OF TITLE 24, IN SELECTING26
AND CONTRACTING WITH THE THIRD -PARTY ADMINISTRATOR.27
HB22-1050
-5- (2) THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING1
DIRECT SERVICES TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS :2
(a) R
EVIEW THE BACKGROUND , EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND3
EXPERIENCE OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN ORDER TO RECOMMEND4
APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ENABLE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO INTEGRATE5
INTO THE STATE'S HEALTH-CARE WORKFORCE AS PHYSICIANS OR TO6
PURSUE AN ALTERNATIVE HEALTH -CARE CAREER;7
(b) P
ROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO PROGRAM8
PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THE CREDENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS ,9
INCLUDING PREPARING FOR THE USMLE AND OTHER APPLICABLE TESTS10
OR EVALUATIONS;11
(c) P
ROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS OR ACCESS TO SCHOLARSHIPS OR12
FUNDS FOR CERTAIN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO HELP COVER OR OFFSET13
THE COST OF THE MEDICAL LICENSURE PROCESS , INCLUDING THE COSTS OF14
THE CREDENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS , PREPARING FOR THE USMLE AND15
OTHER APPLICABLE TESTS OR EVALUATIONS , THE RESIDENCY APPLICATION16
PROCESS, AND OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RETURNING TO A CAREER17
IN HEALTH CARE;18
(d) I
N PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING19
WITH IMGS, DEVELOP:20
(I) A
VOLUNTARY ROSTER OF IMGS INTERESTED IN ENTERING THE21
STATE'S HEALTH-CARE WORKFORCE AS PHYSICIANS , IN ORDER TO ASSIST22
IN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION , INCLUDING23
MAKING AVAILABLE SUMMARY REPORTS THAT SHOW THE AGGREGATE24
NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION, BY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND SPECIALTY ,25
OF IMGS IN THE STATE; AND26
(II) A
VOLUNTARY ROSTER OF IMGS SEEKING ALTERNATIVE27
HB22-1050
-6- HEALTH-CARE CAREERS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THOSE IMGS IN THEIR1
INTEGRATION INTO NONPHYSICIAN HEALTH -CARE ROLES; AND2
(e) P
ROVIDE GUIDANCE TO IMGS TO APPLY FOR MEDICAL3
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS OR OTHER PATHWAYS TO LICENSURE .4
(3) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL DETERMINE , WITH INPUT5
FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND AFTER CONSIDERING RELEVANT RESEARCH OF6
THE NEEDS OF THE WORKFORCE AND IMGS IN COLORADO, THE ELIGIBILITY7
CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM , ANY LIMITS ON THE8
AMOUNT OF DIRECT SERVICES PROVIDED TO AN INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM9
PARTICIPANT, ANY CAPS ON SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNTS AVAILABLE UNDER10
THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM , AND ANY OTHER MATTERS REGARDING THE11
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEEMS12
NECESSARY.13
(4) (a) W
ITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE14
PROGRAM AND A NNUALLY THEREAFTER , THE THIRD -PARTY15
ADMINISTRATOR SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR16
REGARDING THE OPERATION OF THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM , INCLUDING:17
(I) T
HE NUMBER OF IMGS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM18
AND THEIR DEMOGRAPHICS;19
(II) T
HE SPECIFIC SERVICES PROVIDED TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ,20
INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS THAT RECEIVED THE21
SERVICE AND THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE ;22
(III) T
HE TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED TO OR ACCESSED AS23
SCHOLARSHIPS OR OTHER FUNDS BY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS , INCLUDING24
THE AMOUNT OF EACH SCHOLARSHIP OR OTHER FUNDS AWARDED OR25
ACCESSED AND THE ORIGINATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP OR FUNDS ;26
(IV) T
HE TOTAL COST OF PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES UNDER THE27
HB22-1050
-7- ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; AND1
(V) A
NY OTHER INFORMATION THE THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR2
DEEMS APPROPRIATE OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REQUESTS .3
(b) T
HE REPORT MUST NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONALLY4
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS .5
(c) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL INCLUDE THE REPORT AS6
PART OF ITS REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-87-104.7
8-87-103. Clinical readiness program - creation -8
administration - required components - participant qualifications -9
report. (1) T
HE CLINICAL READINESS PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED IN THE10
DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST IMGS ADMITTED TO THE CLINICAL PROGRAM IN11
BUILDING THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL RESIDENTS IN12
THE UNITED STATES MEDICAL SYSTEM . BY JANUARY 1, 2023, THE13
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL CONTRACT WITH A COLORADO-BASED14
MEDICAL SCHOOL TO SERVE AS THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR15
RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING, AND ADMINISTERING THE16
CLINICAL PROGRAM AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE "PROCUREMENT17
C
ODE", ARTICLES 101 TO 112 OF TITLE 24, IN SELECTING AND18
CONTRACTING WITH A COLORADO MEDICAL SCHOOL TO SERVE AS THE19
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR .20
(2) (a) T
HE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR MUST DEVELOP AND21
IMPLEMENT THE CLINICAL PROGRAM BY JANUARY 1, 2024. IN DEVELOPING22
AND IMPLEMENTING THE CLINICAL PROGRAM , THE PROGRAM23
ADMINISTRATOR MAY CONSULT AND COORDINATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS ,24
INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM :25
(I) S
TATE AGENCIES, INCLUDING:26
(A) T
HE COLORADO MEDICAL BOARD ;27
HB22-1050
-8- (B) THE DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES ;1
(C) T
HE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION ;2
(D) T
HE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ;3
(E) T
HE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT ;4
(F) T
HE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FINANCING ;5
AND6
(G) T
HE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS CREATED IN SECTION7
8-3.7-103;8
(II) T
HE HEALTH-CARE INDUSTRY, INCLUDING:9
(A) H
OSPITALS;10
(B) C
OMMUNITY PROVIDERS; AND11
(C) M
EDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMS ;12
(III) C
OMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS , INCLUDING A13
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION SERVING IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES ;14
(IV) H
IGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS; AND15
(V) T
HE IMG COMMUNITY.16
(b) T
HE CLINICAL PROGRAM MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST THE17
FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:18
(I) A
MECHANISM FOR PROCESSING AND ASSESSING PROGRAM19
APPLICATIONS;20
(II) P
ROGRAM CURRICULUM , INCLUDING CURRICULUM:21
(A) P
ERTAINING TO THE PRACTICE OF ONE OR MORE PRIMARY CARE22
SPECIALTIES; AND23
(B) T
HAT PROVIDES INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT TRAINING24
OPPORTUNITIES COMBINED WITH COMMUNITY AND CLASSROOM -BASED25
COMPONENTS TO PREPARE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO MATCH INTO AND26
SUCCEED IN A UNITED STATES RESIDENCY PROGRAM ; AND27
HB22-1050
-9- (III) AN ASSESSMENT SYSTEM TO ASSESS THE CLINICAL READINESS1
OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO SERVE IN A UNITED STATES RESIDENCY2
PROGRAM, INCLUDING CLINICAL READINESS FOR THE PRACTICE OF ONE OR3
MORE PRIMARY CARE SPECIALTIES AND ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS AS4
RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.5
(3) (a) T
HE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR SHALL DESIGNATE A6
PROGRAM DIRECTOR, WHO MUST BE A PHYSICIAN LICENSED TO PRACTICE7
MEDICINE IN THIS STATE.8
(b) T
HE PROGRAM DIRECTOR SHALL :9
(I) D
EVELOP AN OPERATING PLAN AND BUDGET FOR THE CLINICAL10
PROGRAM;11
(II) D
EVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE CURRICULUM FOR AND12
ASSESSMENTS OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FOR CLINICAL READINESS ,13
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (3)(c) OF THIS SECTION;14
(III) W
ORK WITH RESIDENCY PROGRAMS IN THE STATE TO ADDRESS15
BARRIERS IMGS FACE IN SECURING RESIDENCY POSITIONS IN THE STATE ,16
INCLUDING EVALUATING OTHER METHODS FOR TESTING AN IMG'S17
CLINICAL READINESS, EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES TO THE REQUIREMENT18
THAT AN APPLICANT FOR A RESIDENCY POSITION BE A RECENT GRADUATE19
OF MEDICAL SCHOOL, AND DEVELOPING RIGOROUS CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS20
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMGS TO OBTAIN IN -DEPTH CLINICAL21
EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES; AND22
(IV) M
AKE REPORTS AND RECOMME NDATIONS AS REQUIRED BY23
SUBSECTION (6) OF THIS SECTION.24
(c) T
HE PROGRAM DIRECTOR MAY CONTRACT WITH AN25
INDEPENDENT ENTITY OR A STATE AGENCY TO CONDUCT ASSESSMENTS OF26
THE CLINICAL READINESS OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS .27
HB22-1050
-10- (4) TO QUALIFY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLINICAL PROGRAM , AN1
APPLICANT MUST:2
(a) B
E AN IMG WHOSE MEDICAL DEGREE OR QUALIFICATIONS3
HAVE BEEN EVALUATED BY A CREDENTIALING AGENCY APPROVED BY THE4
C
OLORADO MEDICAL BOARD AND DETERMINED TO BE EQUIVALENT TO A5
MEDICAL DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED MEDICAL SCHOOL IN THE UNITED6
S
TATES OR CANADA OR A STATE OR COUNTRY WITH WHICH COLORADO7
HAS A RECIPROCAL LICENSE AGREEMENT ; AND8
(b) H
AVE ACHIEVED A PASSING SCORE ON THE USMLE STEP ONE9
AND STEP TWO EXAMINATIONS .10
(5) O
NCE A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT COMPLETES THE CURRICULUM11
FOR THE CLINICAL PROGRAM, THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OR AN ENTITY WITH12
WHOM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR C ONTRACTS SHALL ASSESS THE PROGRAM13
PARTICIPANT FOR CLINICAL READINESS FOR A RESIDENCY PROGRAM . IF THE14
PROGRAM PARTICIPANT PASSES THE ASSESSMENT , THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR15
SHALL:16
(a) I
SSUE THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT AN INDUSTRY -RECOGNIZED17
CREDENTIAL OF CLINICAL READINESS; AND18
(b) S
UBMIT A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION TO THE19
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND THE DEPARTMENT20
REGARDING THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT .21
(6) (a) B
Y JANUARY 1, 2025, AND BY EACH JANUARY 122
THEREAFTER, THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE23
C
OLORADO MEDICAL BOARD AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS , SHALL SUBMIT24
A REPORT REGARDING THE CLINICAL PROGRAM TO :25
(I) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; AND26
(II) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF27
HB22-1050
-11- REGULATORY AGENCIES.1
(b)
THE REPORT MUST INCLUDE:2
(I) I
NFORMATION ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THE CLINICAL3
PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF IMGS WHO PARTICIPATED IN AND4
COMPLETED THE CLINICAL PROGRAM ; AND5
(II) R
ECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING :6
(A) C
HANGES TO PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS THAT7
PROMOTE THE INCREASED UTILIZATION OF IMGS IN THE STATE'S8
HEALTH-CARE WORKFORCE; AND9
(B) T
HE CREATION OF A CERTIFICATION RECOGNIZED BY THE10
DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION , OR THE UNITED11
S
TATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR .12
(c) T
HE REPORT MUST NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONALLY13
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT ANY PROGRAM PARTICIPANT .14
(d) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL INCLUDE THE REPORT AS15
PART OF ITS REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-87-104.16
8-87-104. Report to the general assembly. T
HE EXECUTIVE17
DIRECTOR SHALL REPORT ON THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND THE18
CLINICAL PROGRAM AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT 'S ANNUAL REPORTING19
UNDER THE "STATE MEASUREMENT FOR ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE,20
AND TRANSPARENT (SMART) GOVERNMENT ACT", PART 2 OF ARTICLE 721
OF TITLE 2. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL INCLUDE IN THE REPORT22
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE REPORTS23
SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE DI RECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTIONS24
8-87-102
(4) AND 8-87-103 (6) AND INFORMATION REGARDING ANY25
PROGRESS MADE PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-87-103 (3)(b)(III) IN26
ADDRESSING BARRIERS INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES FACE IN27
HB22-1050
-12- SECURING POSITIONS IN MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMS .1
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 12-30-119 as2
follows:3
12-30-119. IMG-dedicated residency positions - rules - gifts,4
grants, and donations - report - definitions. (1) T
O THE EXTENT5
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY AWARD FUNDING6
TO INTERESTED RESIDENCY PROGRAMS IN THE STATE FOR ADDITIONAL7
RESIDENCY POSITIONS DEDICATED TO INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL8
GRADUATES WHO MEET CRITERIA DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE9
DIRECTOR BY RULE. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY AWARD FUNDING10
ONLY FOR ADDITIONAL RESIDENCY POSITIONS THAT ARE APPROVED BY THE11
ACGME.12
(2) A
DDITIONAL RESIDENCY POSITIONS THAT ARE APPROVED BY13
THE ACGME, DEDICATED TO IMGS, AND AWARDED FUNDING BY THE14
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:15
(a) M
AY BE FILLED BY AN IMG WHO SATISFIES THE CRITERIA16
ESTABLISHED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR PARTICIPATION IN A17
RESIDENCY POSITION DEDICATED TO IMGS;18
(b) M
UST RECEIVE FUNDING FOR AT LEAST THE LENGTH OF THE19
RESIDENCY PROGRAM; AND20
(c) M
AY BE SELECTED BASED ON GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION ,21
INCLUDING WHETHER LOCATED IN OR SERVING A RURAL COMMUNITY OR22
MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA OR POPULATION ; PRACTICE SPECIALTY;23
THE ANTICIPATED VOLUME OF APPLICANTS ; AND AVAILABLE FUNDING.24
(3) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL ADOPT RULES SPECIFYING25
THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS FOR AN IMG TO26
PARTICIPATE IN A RESIDENCY POSITION DEDICATED TO IMGS, WHICH MAY27
HB22-1050
-13- INCLUDE, UPON COMPLETION OF THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM AND LICENSURE1
BY THE COLORADO MEDICAL BOARD , A REQUIREMENT TO:2
(a) P
RACTICE IN THIS STATE FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD, IN A HPSA,3
OR IN A RURAL COMMUNITY OR MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA OR4
POPULATION; OR5
(b) R
EIMBURSE THE STATE A PORTION OF THE COST OF THE6
RESIDENCY POSITION.7
(4) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY SEEK , ACCEPT, AND EXPEND8
GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR9
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.10
(5) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL REPORT ON ANY FUNDING OF11
IMG-
DEDICATED RESIDENCY POSITIONS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AS12
PART OF THE DEPARTMENT 'S ANNUAL REPORTING UNDER THE "STATE13
M
EASUREMENT FOR ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE, AND TRANSPARENT14
(SMART)
GOVERNMENT ACT", PART 2 OF ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 2.15
(6) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION:16
(a) "ACGME"
MEANS THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR17
G
RADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION, AN ORGANIZATION THAT SETS AND18
MONITORS THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATI ONAL STANDARDS FOR PHYSICIANS ,19
OR ANY SUCCESSOR ACCREDITING ENTITY .20
(b) "C
OLORADO MEDICAL BOARD " MEANS THE COLORADO21
MEDICAL BOARD CREATED IN SECTION 12-240-105.22
(c) "HPSA"
MEANS AN AREA DEFINED OR DESIGNATED AS A23
HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA IN ACCORDANCE WITH 42 U.S.C.24
SEC. 254e.25
(d) "I
NTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GR ADUATE " OR "IMG" MEANS A26
PHYSICIAN WHO RECEIVED A BASIC MEDICAL DEGREE OR QUALIFICATIONS27
HB22-1050
-14- FROM A MEDICAL SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA.1
(e) "M
EDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA OR POPULATION " MEANS AN2
AREA OR POPULATION DESIGNATED BY THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND3
SERVICES ADMINISTRATION IN THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF4
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AS HAVING TOO FEW PRIMARY CARE5
PROVIDERS, HIGH INFANT MORTALITY, HIGH POVERTY, OR A HIGH ELDERLY6
POPULATION.7
(f) "R
URAL COMMUNITY" MEANS A COUNTY WITH A POPULATION8
OF FEWER THAN FIFTY THOUSAND RESIDENTS OR A MUNICIPALITY WITH A9
POPULATION OF FEWER THAN TWENTY -FIVE THOUSAND RESIDENTS IF THE10
MUNICIPALITY IS NOT CONTIGUOUS TO A MUNICIPALITY WITH A11
POPULATION OF TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND OR MORE RESIDENTS .12
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-240-104, amend13
(5.7); and add (5.6) as follows:14
12-240-104. Definitions. As used in this article 240, unless the15
context otherwise requires:16
(5.6) "D
ISTANT SITE" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN SECTION17
10-16-123 (4)(a).18
(5.7) "Distant site" has the meaning set forth in section 10-16-123
19
(4)(a) "INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATE " MEANS A PHYSICIAN WHO20
RECEIVED A BASIC MEDICAL DEGREE OR QUALIFICATIONS FROM A MEDICAL21
SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA.22
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-240-114, amend23
(1) introductory portion as follows:24
12-240-114. International medical graduates - degree25
equivalence. (1) For graduates of schools other than those approved by26
the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the American27
HB22-1050
-15- Osteopathic Association, or the successor of either entity INTERNATIONAL1
MEDICAL GRADUATES, the board may SHALL require three years ONE YEAR2
of postgraduate clinical training approved by the board. An applicant3
whose foreign INTERNATIONAL medical school is not an approved medical4
college is eligible for licensure at the discretion of the board if the5
applicant meets all other requirements for licensure and holds specialty6
board certification, current at the time of application for licensure,7
conferred by a regular member board of the American Board of Medical8
Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association. The factors to be9
considered by the board in the exercise of its discretion in determining the10
qualifications of applicants shall MUST include the following:11
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-240-119, amend12
(1) and (2)(a) introductory portion; and add (2)(a.5) and (4) as follows: 13
12-240-119. Reentry license - period of inactivity -14
international medical graduate - competency assessment - board15
rules - conversion to full license. (1) (a) Notwithstanding any other16
provision of this article 240, the board may issue a reentry license to:17
(I) A physician,
A physician assistant, or AN anesthesiologist18
assistant who has not actively practiced medicine, practiced as a physician19
assistant, or practiced as an anesthesiologist assistant, as applicable, for20
the two-year period immediately preceding the filing of an application for21
a reentry license, or who has not otherwise maintained continued22
competency during that period, as determined by the board;
OR23
(II) A
N INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATE WHO :24
(A) H
OLDS A CURRENT OR EXPIRED INTERNATIONAL LICENSE OR25
MEETS OTHER QUALIFICATIONS SPECIFIED BY THE BOARD BY RULE ; AND26
(B) S
ATISFIES ANY OTHER REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE27
HB22-1050
-16- BOARD BY RULE, WHICH MAY INCLUDE A RECOMMENDATION OF THE1
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE2
IMG
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 8-87-102 OR FROM THE3
PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF THE CLINICAL READINESS PROGRAM CREATED IN4
SECTION 8-87-103 OR A REQUIREMENT FOR SPECIFIC TRAINING, BUT THE5
BOARD SHALL NOT REQUIRE COMPLETION OF A UNITED STATES MEDICAL6
RESIDENCY PROGRAM.7
(b) The board may charge a fee for a reentry license.8
(2) (a) In order to qualify for a reentry license, the physician,9
physician assistant, or
anesthesiologist assistant, OR INTERNATIONAL10
MEDICAL GRADUATE shall submit to evaluations, assessments, and an11
educational program as required by the board. The board may work with12
a private entity that specializes in physician, physician assistant, or13
anesthesiologist assistant assessment to:14
(a.5) F
OR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES , THE BOARD MAY15
APPROVE AN ASSESSMENT MODEL TO ASSESS THE COMPETENCY OF16
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES APPLYING FOR A REENTRY LICENSE17
UNDER THIS SECTION AND SHALL APPROVE CRITERIA , INCLUDING MINIMUM18
REQUIREMENTS, STANDARDS, AND COMPETENCIES, FOR THE ASSESSMENT19
OF THESE APPLICANTS.20
(4) T
HE BOARD SHALL ADOPT RULES AS NECESSARY :21
(I) T
O SPECIFY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO INTERNATIONAL22
MEDICAL GRADUATES PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1)(a)(II) OF THIS23
SECTION; AND24
(II) R
EGARDING THE CRITERIA FOR AN ASSESSMENT MODEL TO25
ASSESS THE COMPETENCY OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES26
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.27
HB22-1050
-17- SECTION 7. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,1
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate2
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety. 3
HB22-1050
-18-