The 38-member task force created by executive order will address how to bring more accessible and affordable health care to residents in the state of Alabama.
Dr. Franks said he is looking forward to serving on the Governor's task force. “Alabama is fortunate to have an extraordinary level of high quality health care providers, but we have some significant health care challenges facing the people of this state,” he said. “Our rates of chronic disease and the overall health of our population usually place us in the bottom quarter of all states. Thus, this task force comes together at a crucial time for us as we work together to improve the overall health of all Alabamians."
The task force includes doctors, medical school leaders, hospital administrators, insurance executives, nurses, state agency leaders, legislators and other professionals in mental health, dietetics, dentistry, public health, pharmacy, wellness and other specialties. The group may suggest changes to state regulations and laws, and its initial recommendations to the Governor are due before the Legislature’s 2016 regular session begins. Potential focus areas include telemedicine, medical resources in rural areas and scope-of-practice laws for nurse practitioners and other professionals.
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