Recent legislative changes in Pennsylvania are poised to impact the state’s healthcare industry, for both practitioners and patients. Governor Shapiro took steps to allow qualified out-of-state licensed physicians to apply to the Pennsylvania boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine for expedited licensure to serve patients in the Commonwealth. Learn what the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) means for PA.
Attracting Talent, Boosting Workforce and Economy
Activating the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is expected to attract top medical talent from across the country, a helpful recruiting boost to hospitals, health systems, and private practices to build their workforces.
The ability to practice across state lines without cumbersome barriers makes Pennsylvania a more attractive destination for highly skilled professionals. Additionally, a more robust healthcare sector can attract investments and funding, further bolstering the state’s economic growth. The presence of a larger pool of medical professionals can also enhance the reputation of PA’s healthcare institutions, making them more competitive on a national level.
Increased Access to Healthcare
One of the other benefits of implementing the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is allowing out-of-state physicians to practice more easily in Pennsylvania, addressing gaps in medical services, especially in underserved or rural areas. A recent survey specifically identified the need for practitioners of anesthesia, behavioral health/psychiatry, emergency medicine, family medicine/primary care, gastroenterology, hospitalists, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, and urology.
This expansion is crucial in ensuring that all residents, regardless of their location, have access to high-quality medical care. The influx of qualified physicians can also help reduce wait times for appointments and improve overall healthcare delivery, allowing individuals to find specialists and primary care providers who best meet their needs, as well as the ability to seek a second opinion when desired.
What’s Next for the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
Healthcare leaders across the state are facing several legislative issues right now in this already heavily regulated sector. The IMLC legislation is sure to be embraced by most medical providers, but before it can be fully in place, the Department of State will continue to work with state and federal partners to satisfy implementation, including the ability to certify to other compact states that Pennsylvania applicants have undergone an FBI criminal background check, a process that requires FBI authorization.
Stay tuned for any legal updates about the IMLC and other state and federal healthcare legislation.
