Show-Me State Times

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind a legislative effort to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural Missouri. Rep. Herman Morse (R-Dexter) highlighted the drastic decrease in physicians in southeast Missouri, stating, “Dexter, a town of now about 8,000, had at least 11 or 12 doctors that lived in town and practiced in town. Now they have none.”

Morse's proposed legislation, HB 1925, aims to incentivize healthcare professionals to practice in rural areas by creating a grant program administered by the Department of Health and Senior Services. The bill prioritizes primary care physicians, dentists, registered nurses, psychiatrists, and chiropractors, requiring them to work and reside in rural counties with fewer than 35,000 residents for at least five years.

Kara Corches, vice president of governmental affairs for the Missouri Chamber, emphasized the importance of improving access to quality healthcare for all Missourians, stating, “We know that access to health care is vital for economic development for the state.” Representatives from CoxHealth and Saint Luke’s Health System also expressed their support for the legislation.

The Missouri Chamber encourages those seeking more information about the initiative to reach out to Kara Corches at kcorches@mochamber.com or 573-634-3511.