TEXAS TRIBUNE | If you become ill and need a doctor tonight at 11, who will you call? What will you do?

Texans in Austin, Dallas, or Houston are probably surprised to learn that Texas ranks 47th in the nation in the number of active primary care physicians per capita. Among its 254 counties, 35 have no practicing physician, and 80 have five or fewer, according to research conducted in 2015 by Merritt Hawkins. And 185 counties — more than 70 percent — lack a psychiatrist. The doctor shortage is an issue that impacts most of the state.

In recent meetings with state legislators and other public officials, I have emphasized the importance of making telemedicine a priority in the current legislative session.

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