By David Gomez Jr., Staff Writer
Source: LMTonline
Local leaders hope to implement House Bill 2038 through Laredo Public Health to address the city’s medically underserved population and ongoing physician shortage.
Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino brought up the item in an attempt to bring more doctors to the city.
“What is the point in building another hospital if they cannot fill it with doctors anyway?” he asked.
Laredo Public Health Director Richard Chamberlain, who is overseeing the issue, said Laredo currently has a concerning ratio of one doctor for every 3,290 patients, while the national average is one doctor for every 2,000.
“We have to make sure to take full advantage of this opportunity so we can have foreign-trained physicians with experience, in good standing and have checked the box in each criteria that is required of them,” Chamberlain said. “Also to make sure they are (English) proficient and work in an accredited program like in one of our hospitals.
“This is a significant win for medically underserved and health professional shortage areas, and I think it’s absolutely wonderful. Laredo should be looking forward to the expansion of our doctor population.”
The recently passed HB 2038 is designed to address physician shortages in underserved areas by creating a pathway for foreign-trained physicians — particularly those who have completed medical education and residency outside the United States — to obtain licensure and practice in Texas, provided they serve in designated shortage areas.
Laredo is one of the communities along the border that is medically underserved and faces shortages of primary care physicians and specialists — a longstanding concern for both city leaders and health care providers.
Requirements for HB 2038 include verification of credentials, language proficiency and ongoing supervision or mentorship for newly licensed physicians. The law could expand the local physician workforce by serving as a tool to recruit qualified doctors from nearby Mexico and other countries familiar with the region’s language and culture.
For now, the city will work with the Texas Medical Board and local health care providers to develop outreach and recruitment strategies. City Council mentioned hosting information sessions for interested physicians and exploring incentives such as relocation assistance or loan repayment programs.
Another idea proposed was to implement a streamlined process for eligible, trained physicians and form a possible partnership with medical schools in Mexico and Texas to facilitate recruitment and placement.
“Even myself, practicing medicine in my 70s, we still only have a third of the doctors that we need for a community of our size, and now we are facing an even bigger issue with our older primary care physicians wanting to retire,” Trevino said.