Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a House bill into law that would allow physicians from out of state to get licensed in Mississippi more quickly, according to a Washington Times report.
Here are five notes:
1. The new law adds Mississippi to an agreement among states to share information, which will help speed up licensing for physicians to work across state lines.
2. The agreement was drafted by the national Federation of State Medical Boards.
3. The agreement aims to contain the licensing period to one month. The agreement allows physicians to apply once for licensing in a number of states rather than applying for each state individually.
4. The board has not yet issued any licenses or set fees.
5. The agreement could help stem potential adverse effects of the impending physician shortage. The U.S. faces a shortage of physicians ranging between 61,700 and 94,700 over the next decade, according to a new report from the American Association of Medical Colleges.