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Farrington plan expanding military medics’ careers garners House committee approval
RELEASE|November 5, 2019

Measures address medical staff shortage, help veterans gain employment

The House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee today unanimously approved state Rep. Diana Farrington’s plan allowing military medical personnel to work under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Farrington’s proposal would create an avenue for honorably discharged military members transitioning into civilian life to utilize the skills they learned during their service to obtain gainful employment in the health care realm.

“Retiring from the Armed Forces doesn’t necessarily mean our military heroes are done serving,” said Farrington, of Utica. “Upon returning home, a good proportion of veterans fully intend on finding careers to support themselves and their families. We are making sure our efforts are spent helping them find employment in a field they are familiar with.”

Farrington said many of the medical procedures military members learn throughout their time of service do not directly correlate with civilian health care job requirements, adding her plan will help address Michigan’s current health care employee shortage through generating valuable employment opportunities for veterans more than capable of filling them.

“There’s plenty of health care employment opportunities available across the state, but not enough licensed workforce talent to fill them,” Farrington said. “If Michigan wants to properly address its health care employee shortage, increase access to care for patients and rise to a national leader in assisting veterans gain valuable employment, we need to implement this common-sense solution.”

Under the proposal, licensed physicians will maintain primary responsibility for the care of the patient and specific tasks entrusted with military medical professionals must be consistent with their level of training and experience.

Farrington said her plan closely mirrors a similar program in Virginia that proved highly successful as a pilot program and was later made permanent in 2018.

House Bills 5052 and 4023 now move to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.

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