A stride forward for care portability, including via telemed
A seventh state has enacted the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, finalizing the launch of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission. The new organization will work to advance not only physicians’ cross-state practice of medicine but also their new or expanded use of telehealth technologies.
The formation became official May 19 when Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley signed the bill into law, according to an announcement from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).
Drafted last year, the compact—essentially an expedited licensure process aimed at increasing physicians’ portability and, with it, patients’ access to care—has so far spurred 18 states to introduce legislation adopting it.
Alabama joins Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming in officially enacting the compact.
FSMB said the commission will meet later this year to iron out management and administrative wrinkles.
Larry Dixon, executive director of Alabama’s board of medical examiners, said the commission will “ease the physician shortage in rural and other underserved areas, establish[ing] a new era of care, patient protections and physician licensing.”
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.