Health care providers push for State Bill

     A group of Southeast Texas healthcare professionals joined together in support of a proposed state law that aims to attract more primary care physicians and dentists to rural areas. Clinic administrators hosted a conference at the gulf coast health center in Port Arthur to raise awareness about Texas House Bill 1876.

     According to the Texas Department of State Health Services in 2008, 26 texas counties had no primary care physicians. 46 counties were without dentists. 

     Supporters say the proposed law would encourage more physicians to practice primary care and also encourage them to work in rural and under-served areas. Medical school graduates rack up debt, hundreds of thousands of dollars in school loans.

     The proposed law would create a loan repayment fund for primary care providers who spend four years practicing in under-served parts of the state.