Bill encourages new doctors to move into rural areas

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A bill that attempts to encourage new doctors to move to rural areas of Oklahoma is now heading to the state House of Representatives. <br/><br/>Medical school graduates would be given

Thursday, March 24th 2005, 10:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A bill that attempts to encourage new doctors to move to rural areas of Oklahoma is now heading to the state House of Representatives.

Medical school graduates would be given a $5,000 a year state income tax credit for five years if they open their medical practice in cities or towns with a population of less then 20,000. The credit would apply to primary care physicians such as those specializing in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology.

The bill is an attempt to reverse the trend of doctor shortages outside the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas.

The bill has already cleared the state Senate and if passed by the state House would go to the governor for approval.