Committee hears testimony on bill to let residents obtain full Montana medical license after one year

At a hearing of the Montana Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee, sponsors and health-care groups testified in favor of Senate Bill 347, which would allow medical residents to obtain a full Montana medical license after completing one year of an accredited residency program if they remain enrolled and in good standing.

Sponsor Sen. Sue Vinton, R-Billings, said Montana faces a growing physician shortage and that expanding licensure for residents could help. “Medical residents work in hospitals or doctor's offices to continue their education and medical training,” she said, and the bill would create “the opportunity for a resident to obtain a full license to practice in our state by allowing residents to receive a full license after completing 1 year of a residency program as long as they remain enrolled and in good standing with the program.” She also noted that “38 percent of currently practicing physicians in Montana are over the age of 60 and likely to retire in the next 5 to 10 years.”

Proponent…