AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted last week to enact legislation sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, that would expand Maine's health care workforce.
LD 937, which received unanimous support in the Legislatures Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, would create a 13-member commission to examine the existing skills and training of foreign-trained physicians, with a focus on those with refugee or asylum-seeker status, and determine how best to utilize their talents in Maine's health care workforce.
"For years, Maine has had to grapple with a shrinking workforce, including within our health care industry," said Cloutier. "LD 937 would establish a commission that engages a wide range of stakeholders, including health care employers, immigrant advocates, workforce development professionals, those who serve on licensing boards, members of the Legislature, representatives from the Governor's Office and of course, foreign-trained physicians. If we hope to fill gaps in our workforce, we must explore how to best utilize the unique skills, training and talents of foreign-trained physicians who wish to live and practice in Maine."
The bill has been placed on the special study table and is now pending final passage.
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 her hometown of Lewiston.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Cloutier], 305-965-2744