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SJR 116

A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University to coordinate a search for actionable solutions to physician shortages and to explore and expand health care opportunities in medically underserved areas in collaboration with community, state agency, professional associations, and other stakeholders.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Stivers and 1 co-sponsor

Directs UK, UofL, and EKU to jointly study and report actionable solutions to physician shortages and expand care in underserved Kentucky areas, with potential funding.

signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 186)
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Bill Summary · SJR 116

Summary of SJR 116 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

A joint resolution directing three Kentucky public universities to coordinate a study and actions to address physician shortages and expand health care access in medically underserved areas.

Purpose and Intent

  • To confront Kentucky’s persistent physician shortages, particularly in medically underserved counties.
  • To improve access to primary and specialty care, retain physicians in underserved areas, and explore innovative approaches to health care delivery and education.
  • To leverage university collaboration with communities, state agencies, professional associations, and other stakeholders.

Key Provisions

Section 1: Coordinated search and exploration

  • Directs the University of Kentucky (UK), the University of Louisville (UofL), and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) to jointly search for actionable solutions and to explore expanding health care opportunities.

  • Focus areas include:

    • Shortages of primary and specialty care physicians in medically underserved areas.
    • Chronic lack of access to physician care for medically underserved populations.
    • Retention of physicians in underserved areas.
    • Workforce development, technology-enabled care, and community-based care models.

  • The search should examine:

    • Current actions being taken.
    • Opportunities to build on existing actions.
    • Innovative actions, such as:
    • Sponsoring community graduate medical education (GME) programs.
    • Expanding GME sites in underserved areas.
    • Encouraging safe international physician recruitment.
    • Increasing reimbursement for recruitment/placement services for medical students, residents, and physicians.
    • Integrating workforce diversification in education.
    • Expanding technology-enabled health care delivery.
    • Considering community-based medical models.
    • Evaluation of regulatory or statutory barriers that hinder attracting providers to underserved areas and that do not overly constrain medical education program modifications.

  • Deliverables: A comprehensive report to the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) by January 1, 2027, including:

    • Data by county on physician shortages, access, and retention.
    • Overview of current actions, potential enhancements, and innovative options, plus regulatory barriers.
    • Detailed actionable solutions, including responsible agencies, resources required, and a proposed timeframe.

Section 2: Feasibility study and potential funding

  • UK is authorized to conduct a feasibility study addressing physician and clinician shortages, in collaboration with health care workforce partners around Owensboro (HealthForce Kentucky region).
  • Feasibility study deadline: December 1, 2026.
  • Contingent on study findings, the General Assembly may consider funding up to $10,000,000 in the 2027 Regular Session to implement solutions.

Affected Parties and Scope

  • Primary institutions: University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Eastern Kentucky University.
  • Stakeholders: local communities in medically underserved areas, health care providers, state agencies, professional associations, health care workforce partners, and potentially international physician recruitment channels.
  • Geographic focus includes medically underserved counties across Kentucky, with a specific feasibility emphasis on the Owensboro region for HealthForce Kentucky initiatives.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Report to the LRC due by January 1, 2027.
  • Feasibility study deadline by December 1, 2026.
  • Possible funding authorization up to $10 million in the 2027 Regular Session, contingent on feasibility study outcomes.
  • The bill underwent multiple amendments during the legislative process (Committee Substitute and Floor Amendments) and was reported favorably with amendments before final passage.

Effective Context

  • The resolution emphasizes data-driven planning, collaboration, and potential policy or regulatory reforms to expand health care access and physician distribution in Kentucky. It does not itself reimburse or implement programs but directs study, reporting, and potential future funding based on study results.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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