Measure To Encourage Expanded Medical Care In Rural Oklahoma Passes State Senate

State Senators overwhelmingly approved legislation Friday aimed at enticing more doctors to open medical practices in rural Oklahoma communities.

“The availability of healthcare is a very real concern in a lot of smaller communities across our state,” said Senator Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau. “The passage of Senate Bill 335 offers a true financial incentive for doctors to provide much needed medical services in places that are currently under-served.”

SB 335 is authored by Senator Gilmer Capps, D-Snyder.

The bill provides a tax credit of up $5,000 for five years for qualified primary care physicians who choose to practice in communities of less than 20,000 persons.

“With this bill we’re seeking to reverse the trend of shrinking health care services in rural Oklahoma. In many cases, having to drive an hour to see a doctor is a matter of life and death for many Oklahomans. Making sure that as many small towns as possible have readily available medical services in an important part of making a better tomorrow for our children,” Capps said.

Senate Bill 335 now goes to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration.