Washington Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on January 28, 2008

Click here to view bill details.

You wouldn't have a shortage of physicians in rural areas if the reimbursements in the state of Washington weren't some of the lowest in the nation. I am in Spokane, and driving 30 minutes to Couer d'Alene would yield me 30% higher reimbursement from private insurance and less expertice at the same time. We can hardly get General surgeons to do what they are trained to do much less think about cross training them to do anything else they can be sued for.

This is why the state would benefit from offering basic medical benefits to all people in the state. Rather than $1 Million for a study, why don't we offer scholarships to students in those rural areas looking to practice medicine? In return, they are required to work in rural areas for 10 years or they pay back the scholarship. Most people only need a quick visit to the doctors to get a prescription of something or other. Other option is to allow certain commonly prescribed cold/flu/bronchitis type medicines to be done by a trained pharmacist?