EXPAND

HEALTH CARE ACCESS & PROTECT PATIENTS

SUPPORT HB 1047:
THE INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR PHYSICIAN LICENSURE
(REPS. BUCK/WINTER & SENS. NEWELL/ROBERTS)

THE NEED TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE
In 2012, only about 11 percent of the nations physicians worked in rural areas, despite nearly
20 percent of Americans living in rural communities. The health care delivery system is rapidly
changing. With expansions in telehealth, physicians often cite the time-consuming state-by-
state licensure process for multiple-license holders as a key barrier to overcome in order for
telehealth to continue to grow and help improve access to care.

A STATE-BASED SOLUTION
The goal of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is to expedite physicians multi-state
practice and improve access to health care without compromising patient safety or quality.
Participation in the Compact is voluntary for physicians.
The Compact would make it easier and faster for physicians to obtain a license to practice in
multiple states, thus helping extend the availability of their care at a time when demand is
expected to grow significantly. The proposal aims to increase access to health care for
individuals in underserved or rural areas and allow patients to more easily consult medical
experts through the use of telehealth technologies.
The Compact is a state-based solution that preserves states regulatory authority and retains
state oversight of both professional licensure and the practice of medicine that are
traditionally reserved for state jurisdictions.
In its first year, 12 states have already adopted the Compact, including Utah, Wyoming,
Montana, Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and more states are
expected to adopt it in 2016. An interstate compact is a contract between two or more states
and establishes a formal, legal relationship among states to address common policy concerns.
Colorado is currently a member to more than 30 interstate compacts.
House Finance amended the bill to reduce the fiscal impact of the bill in FY 16-17. The
amendment clarified that two Commissioners from Colorado will be appointed immediately to
support the ongoing work to fully implement the Compact and physician licenses through the
Compact will not be issued in Colorado until either January 1, 2017 or when the Compact is fully
operational, whichever is later.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Ellen Stern (720) 777-8768 ellen.stern@childrenscolorado.org || Ruth Aponte (303) 907-1980
raponte@aponte-busam.org || Sara Odendahl (303) 506-2348 sodendahl@aponte-busam.org ||
April 6, 2016 House Appropriations