CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - East Texas Medical Professionals Pushing Bill

East Texas Medical Professionals Pushing Bill

By Anthony Austin

East Texas healthcare professionals are urging our area senators to support House Bill 2154.

26 counties in Texas don't have a primary care doctor.  Here in Tyler, the Community Health Clinics of Northeast Texas can't fill their job openings.  They said patients are suffering, and they want something done now.

Stormie Mooney drove to Tyler, from Edgewood, just to see a doctor.

"It's about an hour and 20 minutes from here," Stormie Mooney told CBS 19.

She considers her medical road trip necessary because of the lack of primary care doctors in her community.

"I don't understand, why the doctors, why are they not staying?" asked Mooney.

They're not staying, because of a lack of pay.

"The primary care shortage is serious today. Unless, we act now we're going to be in serious trouble in the future," said Dr. Bennie Webster at a Press Conference.

With "help wanted" signs in hand, East Texas medical professionals and community leaders showed their support for a bill that would address that concern.

"A bill like this, like Bill 2154, is very much needed because it can help us reach out to those we're not able to reach in this area," Tyler Councilman Donald Sanders explained. 

The bill would help primary care doctors pay off student loans, if they agree to practice in an undeserved community for at least four years.

"To try to pay that off on a primary care salary is difficult especially if you're choosing to work among the less fortunate," said Dr. Danny Thomas

With the average medical student in debt more than $160, 000. Dr. Danny Price said the bill will not only benefit doctors, but patients in need.

"Many people are surprised to hear that we're one of the poorest counties in this country," Price commented.

If the doctor shortage isn't addressed, Mooney said she could be in debt of her own.

"I probably would have to go to the hospital and pile up my bills and let it ruin my credit," Mooney said.

The funding for House Bill 2154 would come from a restructuring of the existing smokeless tobacco tax. The bill has already passed the Texas house.

In less than two weeks, we'll know the Senate's decision.