The AAMC led over 40 members of the GME Advocacy Coalition (GMEAC) in a March 13 sign-on letter (PDF) of support for the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (H.R. 7050). The letter to Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), Mike Carey (R-Ohio), and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) emphasized the importance of investing in the physician workforce in order to ensure patient access to addiction care. The bipartisan bill would make available 1,000 new Medicare-supported residency positions to hospitals that have — or are in the process of establishing — approved residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine and their prerequisite programs. The AAMC supported the legislation on Jan. 19 [refer to Washington Highlights, Jan. 19].
- Washington Highlights