ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 83
BY REPRESENTATIVES ECHOLS AND THOMPSON
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to create a task force to study,
identify, and make recommendations to address the shortage of specialist physicians
in this state.
WHEREAS, according to a 2022 report from the Association of American Medical
Colleges, rural areas in the United States have twenty percent of the population, but only
eleven percent of the physicians; and
WHEREAS, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) reported that rural areas
in the United States estimated thirteen and one-tenth physicians per every ten thousand
people; and
WHEREAS, the thirteen and one-tenth physicians per every ten thousand people
reported by the NRHA was significantly lower in comparison than the estimated thirty-one
and two-tenths physicians per every ten thousand people in urban areas in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, in order to promote a healthier Louisiana, it is imperative to ascertain
the adequate number and specialty type of physicians necessary to address the myriad
healthcare needs of Louisiana citizens; and
WHEREAS, there are programs that have been created in the state of Louisiana to
address the physician shortage in rural areas; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has established a multistate job board to connect
employers with doctors working in rural areas; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of such programs has not made significant changes
to the high number of physician vacancies and poor referral rates; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana does not have a reliable method of determining the location
and specialty of licensed physicians currently practicing in this state; and
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WHEREAS, Louisiana is working to develop and expand programs aimed at
encouraging physicians to participate in Louisiana residency training programs and to
continue to reside and provide medical care in this state; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the state to gather and analyze information
and data in order to be more successful and strategic in physician recruitment and retention;
and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to ensure the retention of specialists in this state so
residents of the state do not have to travel outside of the state for specialty medical
treatment.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to create a task force to conduct
research and make recommendations to address the current and future needs of this state to
maintain the necessary number and specialty type of physicians to provide health care for
our citizens.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall do all of the following:
(1) Study all aspects of the supply and demand for physicians in Louisiana, including
but not limited to the availability and reliability of data associated with the following
variables:
(a) Demographic and geographic aspects of the current Louisiana physician
workforce.
(b) Number and specialty types of physicians currently practicing in Louisiana,
including geographic distribution.
(c) Capacity for and number of residents and specialty types of residents training in
Louisiana, including geographic distribution.
(d) Capacity for and number of medical students currently in Louisiana.
(e) Number and specialty type of physicians needed to address the health and welfare
of the Louisiana population, based on population demographics, Medicaid and commercial
health insurance claims analysis, and other sources of information.
(2) Review best practices from other states in determining physician supply and
demand.
(3) Make any other additional recommendations.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may do all of the following:
(1) Request the assistance of any state agency or any state official in acquiring
information or cooperation necessary to fulfilling its duties.
(2) Engage subject matter experts and contract with third parties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following groups, organizations, and
agencies shall each appoint a member to the task force who shall serve at the pleasure of the
appointing group, organization, or agency:
(1) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.
(2) A representative from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.
(3) A representative from the Louisiana State Medical Society.
(4) A representative from the Louisiana Hospital Association.
(5) A representative from the Louisiana Board of Regents.
(6) A representative from the Louisiana Association of Health Plans.
(7) A representative from the Louisiana Rural Hospital Association.
(8) A representative from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
(9) The chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New
Orleans or his designee.
(10) The chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Shreveport or his designee.
(11) The president of Tulane University or his designee.
(12) The president of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine or his
designee.
(13) A representative from the University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School.
(14) A representative from the Xavier University of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members shall serve without compensation and
additional members may be added to the task force at any time upon a majority vote of its
members.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall
provide staff to support the task force required by this Resolution.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall adopt rules of procedure and
shall elect its own chairperson who shall organize the task force and its work and meetings,
which shall be made available electronically.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on or before February 1, 2024, the task force
established by this Resolution shall submit to the House Committee on Health and Welfare,
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the David R. Poynter Legislative Research
Library a written report of its findings and recommendations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, the executive director of the Louisiana
State Board of Medical Examiners, the president of the Louisiana State Medical Society, the
president of the Louisiana Hospital Association, the chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents,
the president of the Louisiana Association of Health Plans, the president of the Louisiana
Rural Hospital Association, the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and
Industry, the chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New
Orleans, the chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport,
the president of Tulane University, the president of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic
Medicine, the dean of the University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School, and the
president of Xavier University of Louisiana.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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