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.
SJR116 directs the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University to work together with community partners, state agencies, professional associations, and other stakeholders to identify actionable solutions to Kentucky’s physician shortages. The resolution focuses on medically underserved areas, including both primary care and specialty care access, physician retention, workforce diversification, technology-enabled care, and community-based care models.
The resolution also requires the universities to examine current efforts, identify ways to expand them, and consider innovative approaches such as community graduate medical education programs, expanding residency sites in underserved areas, safe international physician recruitment, increased administrative reimbursement for recruitment and placement services, and broader use of telehealth and other delivery options. A report with county-level data, statutory and regulatory barriers, recommended actions, responsible agencies, needed resources, and suggested timelines must be submitted to the General Assembly by January 1, 2027. The bill appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 to support administration and report production, and it takes effect July 1, 2026 under an emergency clause.
SJR116 does not directly change licensure, Medicaid, or other health statutes, but it does create a legislative mandate for three public universities to study physician shortages and produce a formal report with policy recommendations. It also provides a specific General Fund appropriation of $250,000 for implementation of the study and report. The resolution is intended to inform future legislation or administrative action affecting medical education, residency placement, workforce development, telehealth, and access to care in medically underserved Kentucky counties and populations.
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the Senate and House unanimously in the recorded votes, including final adoption and a veto override vote in the House, indicating strong agreement that physician shortages and rural health access are urgent statewide concerns. The emergency clause and appropriation further suggest lawmakers viewed the issue as important enough to address immediately.
There is little evidence of major contention in the available record. The resolution itself acknowledges potential barriers, including statutory and regulatory obstacles to attracting providers to underserved areas, but the bill text does not identify specific opponents or disputed provisions. Any policy debate is likely to center on the best methods for improving physician supply—such as residency expansion, international recruitment, telehealth, or community-based models—rather than on whether the shortage exists or whether action is needed.