A recently passed bill in Missouri aims to solve two problems by attracting unemployed medical professionals from around the country to fill its severe statewide doctor shortage.

Republican Rep. Lynn Morris introduced legislation to ease qualification standards for medical school graduates who would be unable to practice unless they complete their residency. Under the bill, all legal U.S. residents who have graduated from medical school within the last three years and have passed their medical licensing exams within the past two years could apply for an “assistant physician” license.