1Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the
2issue of physician shortages, to establish an advisory
3committee to conduct a comprehensive study of physician
4shortages, to propose strategies for eliminating physician
5shortages, and to report to the House of Representatives with
6its findings and recommendations.

7WHEREAS, Research studies have found that physician shortages
8have reached alarming proportions in the United States and
9Pennsylvania in particular; and

10WHEREAS, According to a 2012 Physicians Foundation survey
11report nearly half the nation's 830,000 physicians are 50 years
12of age or older and are seeing fewer patients than they did four
13years ago; and

14WHEREAS, In Pennsylvania, 52% of physicians are more than 50
15years of age and less than 10% are under 35 years of age,
16according to a report released by the Pennsylvania Department of
17Health in 2010; and

18WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is experiencing physician shortages for

1a litany of reasons; and

2WHEREAS, According to the Department of Health in 2010, 41%
3of physicians who anticipated leaving direct patient care in
4Pennsylvania within five years cited retirement as the reason;
5and

6WHEREAS, As the baby boomers grow older, they are creating a
7greater need for physicians; and

8WHEREAS, Medical school debts, which often average a quarter
9of a million dollars, also contribute to physician shortages;
10and

11WHEREAS, Changing health care landscapes are expected to
12further increase the need for physicians by adding newly insured
13Pennsylvanians to this Commonwealth's health care system;
14therefore be it

15RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
16State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee
17of approximately 25 members consisting of public officials and
18experts on the issue of physician shortages and its impact; and
19be if further

20RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
21with the advisory committee, conduct a thorough and
22comprehensive analysis of physician shortage and its impacts by
23region and specialty, at a minimum; and be it further

24RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
25with the advisory committee, study recent reports on the issue
26of physician shortages, review other states' proposals to
27address physician shortages and develop recommendations best
28suited for Pennsylvania; and be it further

29RESOLVED, That the final report include any recommendations
30to implement necessary changes in State statutes and practices,

1policies and procedures relating to physician shortages; and be
2it further

3RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
4report to the House of Representatives with its findings and
5recommendations not later than one year after the adoption of
6this resolution.