Robert Bentley

FILE - In this March 3, 2015 file photo, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley speaks during the annual State of the State address at the Capitol in Montgomery, Ala. Bentley is trying to take his sales pitch directly to voters with a series of speeches promoting his proposed tax increase and the creation of a new nonprofit to promote his policy agenda for the remainder of his term. However, legislators still don't seem to be buying into his ideas. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

MONTGOMERY| Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Monday created a new task force aimed at making health care in Alabama more accessible and more affordable.

Bentley signed an executive order creating the Alabama Health Care Improvement Task Force.

The 38-person panel includes physicians, nurses, dentists, mental health professionals, insurance companies and hospitals. State Health Officer Don Williamson will lead the task force. Bentley said more people could be added if needed.

"We're going to look at all of these things and what I'm asking people to do when they come together in this task force is to leave their turf at the door," Bentley said.

The team plans to examine a number of ideas for improving health care infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. Possibilities include expanding telemedicine, medical resources and scope-of-practice laws.

"Distance does not have to be an obstacle to health care," Bentley said.

The first meeting is scheduled for April 15.

Bentley said he hopes to have some ideas ready for the 2016 legislative session.

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Alabama's Governor Bentley creates state health care task force