Alabama’s Progress in Expanding Access to Healthcare
A new report indicates that Alabama is making notable strides in improving healthcare access by allowing more qualified physicians from other states to provide service within its borders.
The Alabama Board of Medical Examinations has highlighted findings from the IMLCC, the Compact Commission on Interstate Medical Licensing, showing a remarkable 126% increase in medical licenses issued through the compact over the last four years.
The IMLCC is a multi-state agreement designed to simplify the medical licensing process for qualified physicians looking to practice across different states.
Furthermore, Alabama stands out in the top five states for the number of physician licenses granted through this multi-state system, surpassing Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Arizona.
“This growth represents more than just numbers; it’s a significant move toward enhancing access to qualified physicians for patients throughout our state,” said Dr. Max Rogers, chair of the Alabama Board of Medical Examinations. “The compact facilitates the ability of doctors to work in Alabama, serve patients, and uphold the high standards we are committed to.”
This achievement is even more impressive considering Alabama faced significant challenges. For a period of 18 months, the state was unable to fully engage in the compact due to the FBI’s actions regarding background checks necessary for licensing.
The Health Checkup Committee, along with Alabama law enforcement, collaborated with U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and Northern District Sen. Purim Escarona to encourage the FBI to reverse its stance and allow Alabama to participate fully in the IMLCC.
Alabama was among the first states to join the Compact in 2017 and continues to advocate for expanding access to quality healthcare through prudent licensing reforms. Alongside facilitating qualified doctors to practice in Alabama, the compact also encourages telehealth, widening access particularly in underserved areas.
The Alabama Board of Inspections serves as the state’s regulatory body overseeing medical practice in Alabama.
