CT bill could help ease physician shortage

A bill is heading to a public hearing Thursday that would allow up to 10 communities in Connecticut to be designated as "targeted health areas" if they have a medically underserved population or a population with a high rate of chronic disease. Physicians and physician offices in these communities would be eligible for loans, hiring incentive funds and matching grants for physician recruitments and other needs. The proposal would require approval of $10 million in state bonding.