California Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) has introduced a set of bills that would expand the scope of practice for non-physicians to address a shortage of doctors in the state, the Sacramento Bee reports (Rosenhall, Sacramento Bee, 3/14).
The Los Angeles Times reports that only 16 of the state's 58 counties have the supply of physicians recommended by the federal government.
In addition, the Association of American Medical Colleges says that nearly 30% of California's doctors are nearing retirement age.
Meanwhile, the state is preparing to expand Medi-Cal and require most residents to have health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program (California Healthline, 2/11).
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