AUGUSTA - Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, introduced legislation Tuesday that would expand Maine's health care workforce by studying ways to integrate foreign-trained physicians into Maine's health care system.
LD 937 would create the Commission Regarding Foreign-trained Physicians Living in Maine to examine the existing skills and training of physicians, with a focus on those with refugee or asylum seeker status, and determine how best to meet current gaps in the state's health care workforce.
"There are many qualified physicians living in Maine who have been trained in other countries that are currently unable to practice medicine and support their families here," said Cloutier. "This bill would be an important first step to explore how we can remove existing barriers and ensure that we are maximizing the skills, training and talents of foreign-trained physicians living in Maine. This will increase the cultural competency of our health care workforce and address the current shortage of medical professionals that we are facing, while also allowing those professionals to do the work they love."
Many health care facilities across the state, including MaineHealth, have noted a workforce shortage and the need to increase the number of trained clinical professionals, including physicians.
The Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Cloutier is the Assistant House Majority Leader and is currently serving her third consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives. She represents House District 94, which includes part of Lewiston, her hometown.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Cloutier], 305-965-2744