A new national report shows Alabama is making significant progress in expanding access to health care by drawing in more physicians from other states through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLCC).
According to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the state has seen a 126 percent increase in the number of medical licenses issued through the Compact over the past four years. The IMLCC streamlines the licensing process for qualified physicians who want to practice across state lines, making it easier for them to serve patients in multiple states.
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Alabama now ranks among the top five states—alongside Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Arizona—for the number of physician licenses issued through the Compact.
“This growth is more than a statistic, it’s a step forward to ensuring patients across our state have better access to qualified physicians,” said Dr. Max Rogers, Chair of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. “Through the Compact, we’re making it easier for physicians to practice in Alabama, serve patients, and uphold the high standards our Board is committed to maintaining.”
The report’s findings are particularly notable given recent regulatory hurdles that temporarily disrupted Alabama’s participation. For 18 months, Alabama was one of a few states blocked from fully engaging in the Compact due to an FBI decision that prevented states from conducting the background checks required for issuing licenses under the IMLCC.
To address the issue, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency worked with U.S. Senator Katie Britt and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Prim Escalona. Their efforts helped persuade the FBI to reverse its decision, restoring Alabama’s full participation in the Compact.
Alabama was one of the first states to join the IMLCC in 2017 and has continued to support reforms aimed at improving access to quality care. The Compact not only allows for easier licensing of physicians but also facilitates telemedicine, which can be especially important in areas with limited access to health care services.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
