New and updated Health Workforce Mapper
The AMA is pleased to announce a newly updated Health Workforce Mapper which has been refined for an improved user experience. The Mapper is still a free customizable tool with the same important health workforce and population health data but now has improved functionality, including full screen mode and easier navigation.
The "Health Workforce" tool in the Mapper allows the user to map the location of the health care workforce at the national, state, metropolitan and county level. Data includes all physician specialties and subspecialties included in the AMA Masterfile, as well as a number of non-physicians. The "Population Health Explorer" allows the user to overlay this information with data on a variety of population health factors, including social determinants of health, health care access and quality, health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol use and demographics. Together these functions allow users to not only see where the physicians of the country practice but overlay where the patients are and what factors influence their health and access to care.
NJ passes TIA bill, awaits Governor Murphy's signature
On Oct. 29, New Jersey's legislature unanimously passed S.B. 2465, the "New Jersey Health Care Transparency Act." The bill is based on AMA's model truth in advertising legislation, a common-sense solution to ensure patients know who is providing their health care. The AMA thanks the legislature for taking action and encourages Governor Phil Murphy to sign the bill into law.
Louisiana joins the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
Louisiana Governor John Edwards signed Senate Bill 27 into law on Oct. 28, making Louisiana the 32 member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). 30 states plus DC and Guam are now members of the IMLC, which provides an expedited pathway to licensure for qualified physicians who are already licensed in one state and would like to become licensed in other states. Since the Compact's inception, more than 10,000 licenses have been processed through the Compact, with most physicians seeking one or two licenses. Based on IMLC data from April 2019- April 2020, the vast majority of physicians (80%) obtained one or two licenses through the Compact while 20% obtained three or more licenses, of which only 6% obtained seven or more licenses (down from 13% last year).
