KentuckyKentucky universities will study doctor shortages and care access
Three Kentucky universities must study doctor shortages and report solutions by January 2027; the University of Kentucky may also study workforce needs near Owensboro.
What it does
Three Kentucky universities must study doctor shortages and ways to improve care in underserved areas, working with community, government, and professional partners.
The University of Kentucky may study workforce needs around Owensboro. Lawmakers may consider up to $10 million in 2027 based on the study, but funding is not guaranteed.
Argument forA county-by-county review could help lawmakers see where patients lack doctors and which local approaches may improve access.
Argument againstThe universities could recommend costly recruitment or training steps, while the resolution does not provide money to carry them out.
More detail
The University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University must work together to study doctor shortages and ways to improve health care access. The review must focus on shortages of primary and specialty doctors, access to care, and keeping doctors in medically underserved areas of Kentucky. The work must involve community groups, state agencies, professional associations, and other partners. It must examine current efforts, ways to build on them, possible new approaches, and legal or regulatory barriers. The universities must send their report to the Legislative Research Commission by January 1, 2027, for referral to the General Assembly.
The University of Kentucky may study whether a health care workforce effort in the Owensboro region is feasible. The study concerns shortages of physicians and other clinicians in and around the Owensboro region. The study may be done with health care workforce partners in and around Owensboro and may explore using HealthForce Kentucky. The General Assembly shall consider funding of up to $10 million in the 2027 Regular Session based on the study; the text does not require lawmakers to provide that funding. The study may be given to the General Assembly by December 1, 2026; any funding consideration is in the 2027 Regular Session.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 17signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Acts Ch. 186)Became Law
- Apr 15delivered to Governor
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE OF SJR 116 w/ HCS 1, HFA 1, HCA 1 (T). Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Adopt. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Suspend the Rules. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseTo Governor
- Apr 15enrolled, signed by President of the SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 15passed 37-0Passed 1st Chamber
- Apr 15Senate concurred in Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
- Apr 15to Rules (S)Minor
- Apr 15received in Senate
- Apr 15adopted with Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
- Apr 15floor amendment (1) filed to Committee SubstituteMinor
- Apr 153rd readingMinor
- Mar 25posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 26 2026
- Mar 252nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Mar 24reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)Minor
- Mar 20to Postsecondary Education (H)Minor
- Mar 10to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Mar 10received in House
- Mar 93rd reading, adopted 35-0Minor
- Vote recorded ADOPT SJR 116. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 5posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 06 2026
- Mar 52nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Mar 4reported favorably, 1st reading, to CalendarMinor
- Feb 26to Health Services (S)Minor
- Feb 24to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Feb 24introduced in SenateIntroduced
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