A bill in the California legislature would allow students in a UC Davis School of Medicine accelerated pilot program to obtain licenses in less than four years.
The program was set up to address a growing problem in California.
“We have far more patients than we have doctors,” says Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla. She says her bill AB 1838 would ensure that students who complete medical school in the accelerated program would have the opportunity to start practicing.
“We’re not talking about a program that in any way cuts corners,” she says. “It in no way shortens the material that is covered.”
Doctor Mark Henderson with UC Davis Medical School says some parts of California have a much greater need for primary care doctors.
“The rural areas of California and the Central Valley are the most underserved,” says Henderson.
The Assembly has approved the Bonilla bill. The Senate will take it up next.
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