Idaho

C.L. “Butch” Otter
Governor

WHEREAS, Idaho faces a severe shortage in all health professions; and

WHEREAS, Idaho currently ranks 40th in physicians per capita and has the 6th oldest physician population among the 50 states; and

WHEREAS, Idaho does not train a sufficient number of physicians, especially in primary care, to meet the needs of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, in addition to nursing, shortages in such fields as pharmacy, dentistry, allied health, primary care and mental health are acute; and

WHEREAS, the State has a vested interest in finding workable and realistic solutions to its healthcare provider shortages; and

WHEREAS, a sufficient supply of healthcare professionals in all disciplines is necessary to address the healthcare of Idaho citizens; and

WHEREAS, to address the shortages the Governor's Select Committee on Health Care recommended to the Governor the creation of the Idaho Health Professions Education Council;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. "BUTCH" OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me under the Constitution and laws of this state do hereby order:

1. The creation of the Idaho Health Professions Education Council (Council);

2. Members of the Council shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor;

3. The chair of the Council shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor;

4. The members of the Council shall include but are not limited to:

a. Representatives from the health industry;

b. Representatives from health organizations;

c. Representatives for Idaho colleges/universities;

d. Representatives from the public at large;

5. The Council's responsibilities shall be:

a. Conduct health workforce analyses;

b. Assess Idaho's capacity for training healthcare professionals;

c. Advise the Governor and legislators on healthcare workforce issues;

d. Develop healthcare workforce objectives for the State of Idaho and provide policy recommendations for achieving the objectives;

e. Recommend strategies to address healthcare provider shortages in rural locations; and

f. Develop strategies to encourage public/private partnerships to increase the number of healthcare providers in Idaho;

6. Committee members will serve without compensation; however, they shall receive reimbursement for the actual costs of attending Committee meetings from the Idaho Department of Labor; and

7. The Council shall submit an annual report of its activities to the Governor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 19th day of July in the year of our Lord two thousand and eleven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-fifth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred twenty-first.

C.L. "BUTCH" OTTER
GOVERNOR

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE