Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins, John Boozman (R-AR), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the bipartisan Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act to increase the number of Medicare-supported doctor training slots available for medical students and address the shortage of primary and specialty care physicians in Maine and across the country.
“In the face of growing demand for medical treatments and services, our country continues to struggle with a shortage of trained physicians. It is critical that we bridge the gap,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would support training opportunities needed to alleviate the physician shortage and improve access to health care, particularly in rural or underserved communities, which in turn promotes healthier lives.”
The U.S. faces a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, including up to 40,000 primary care doctors and as many as 20,000 surgical specialists. Funding residencies independently is extremely costly to rural hospitals already struggling to attract and support physicians.
Specifically, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act addresses the growing physician workforce shortage by:
The bill is supported by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), National Rural Health Association (NRHA), American Medical Association (AMA) and the Greater New York Hospital Association.
“The Association of American Medical Colleges applauds Senators Boozman, Warnock, Collins, Schumer, Gillibrand, Rosen, Klobuchar, King, Gallego, Welch, Slotkin, and Durbin for championing this important bipartisan legislation that would expand federal investment in physician training,” said AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, M.D. “With the nation facing a persistent physician shortage, this bipartisan bill would enhance and build on the investments academic health systems are making to strengthen the physician workforce by increasing Medicare support for physician training. We look forward to working with the Senate to advance this critical legislation and help ensure that patients across the country have access to timely, high-quality health care they deserve.”
“Rural communities continue to experience a chronic lack of physicians, and these shortages are only projected to grow,” said NRHA CEO Alan Morgan. “This important legislation is a huge step towards recruiting and training more physicians in rural areas and ensuring that all rural residents have access to care. We look forward to continuing to work with the senators to pass this bill and find sustainable solutions to rural workforce issues.”
“By expanding federal support for graduate medical education over the next seven years, Congress is taking a critical step toward ensuring patients nationwide have access to well-trained physicians in their communities,” said AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D.
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have also cosponsored the bill.
The complete text of the bill can be read here.
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