KY HCR114

Recognizes the importance of having a physician present in every emergency department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, particularly for Level IV trauma centers treating crashes, gunshot wounds, severe burns, and blunt force traumas

Notes Kentucky ranks 40th nationally in primary care physicians per 100,000 people, with only 25% of Kentucky physicians practicing in rural counties

Highlights that physicians complete 12,000-16,000 hours of clinical education and training, while advanced practice providers complete significantly less and fewer than 20% have specialty certification

Commits the General Assembly to supporting physician education and recruitment efforts as a top priority for rural health care investment

Calls for expanding area health education centers and working with state and federal partners to increase graduate medical education slots