Senator Campbell Filing Bill to Boost Florida's Physician Ranks

Concerned that Florida ranks first in the country for the number of residents age 65 or older, and with an eye to a looming shortage of physicians available to treat them, state Senator Daphne Campbell (D-Miami) is filing legislation which would dramatically reduce the looming shortfall.
“By 2025, the shortage of physicians in Florida is expected to grow to 7,000, according to the Teaching Hospital Council of Florida and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida,” said Senator Campbell. “We can either bury our heads in the sand, or tap into the rich availability of internationally trained physicians to shore up medical care for Florida’s growing number of senior residents.”
Under Senator Campbell’s measure, internationally trained physicians would be able to acquire a restricted license to practice in Florida, provided they met certain built-in criteria and safeguards. Those standards would include an individual who trained in a medical school listed in World Director of Medical Schools published by the World Health Organization, has legally practiced medicine for at least 3 years in their countries of residency, and is not subject to any discipline or prosecution for any acts that threaten public health, safety or welfare.
“This legislation would broaden the pool of trained physicians available to dispense medical aid for the growing number of people who need their help,” said Senator Campbell. “By tapping internationally-trained doctors, we not only stop the shortage of medical doctors from occurring, but we provide a pathway for these individuals to join our communities and contribute to Florida’s prosperity.”
The bill has been filed for the upcoming 2018 legislative session, and will be carried in the House by state Representative Manny Diaz, Jr. (R-Hialeah).
Should it win passage, the legislation would take effect July 1^st.