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    The Role of GME Funding in Addressing the Physician Shortage

    The United States is facing a serious shortage of physicians, largely due to the growth and aging of the population and the impending retirements of older physicians. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the vital role that physicians and all health care providers play in our nation’s health care infrastructure and has spotlighted the need for a larger physician workforce. In December 2020, bipartisan congressional leaders took a step to address the physician shortage by adding 1,000 new Medicare-supported graduate medical education (GME) positions—200 per year for 5 years—targeted at priority communities including rural, urban, and other teaching hospitals nationwide, ending a nearly 25-year freeze on federal support for GME.

    In addition to expanding support for federally funded residency training positions, the AAMC supports non-GME incentives and programs, including Conrad 30, the National Health Service Corps and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and Title VII/VIII, which are used to recruit a diverse workforce and encourage physicians to practice in shortage specialties and underserved communities.

    As our population grows and ages, the demand for physicians continues to grow faster than the supply, resulting in an estimated shortfall of between 37,800 and 124,000 primary care and specialty physicians by 2034. Doctor shortages pose a real risk to patients – especially for those in rural or underserved areas. It is critical that we invest in training enough doctors so that patients have access to the timely, appropriate care that they need.

    Legislation to Address the Physician Shortage

    Now more than ever, the nation must make a long-term investment in our health care and public health infrastructure. Addressing the doctor shortage requires a multi-pronged approach, including increasing federal support for GME, which until December 2020 remained effectively frozen since 1997. The AAMC supports the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021 (S. 834, H.R. 2256), which would add 14,000 residency slots over seven years.

    Download the Senate version (PDF)

    Download the House version (PDF)

    The Opioid Workforce Act of 2021 (S. 1438) and Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (H.R. 3441) would provide Medicare support for an additional 1,000 GME positions over the next five years in hospitals that have, or are in the process of establishing, accredited residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine.

    Download the Opioid Workforce Act and the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (PDF)

    State-by-State Graduate Medical Education Data

    medical students

    All medical school graduates must complete a period of GME, or residency training, to be licensed to practice medicine in the United States. GME comprises the second phase — after medical school — of the formal education that prepares doctors for medical practice. During residency, doctors learn skills and techniques specific to their chosen specialty under the supervision of attending physicians and serve as part of a care team.

    Access state-by-state GME data about teaching hospitals and medical education programs

    Group of diverse physicians

    In USA Today, David J. Skorton, MD and Janis Orlowski, MD explore the role of the academic medicine community in addressing the nation’s projected physician shortage to meet the growing demand of doctors and health care workers. (Sign-in may be required)

    A masked doctor talks with a masked patient in her office

    A new AAMC study projects a shortfall of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. More graduate medical education slots can help fill the gap.

    • June 11, 2021
    Masked doctors tend to patients in an emergency room

    COVID-19 took an incalculable toll on the nation’s physicians. We will be unraveling its impact for years to come.

    • June 17, 2021
    Group of seven people dressed in medical uniforms standing and smiling at the camera

    This report provides state-specific statistics on active physicians, MD and DO students, residents, and fellows.

    Doctor holding stethoscope

    A multipronged solution would include more residency positions, innovation in health care delivery, and greater use of technology, experts say.

    • April 3, 2018
    A doctor discussing the patient's illness or injury with the residents.

    The AAMC provides resources, tools, effective practices, and other materials to support students, medical school advisors, and program directors in the transition to residency.


    Myths and Facts: The Physician Shortage

    Download a flyer (PDF) explaining some of the key points about the physician shortage. 

    Advocacy-Related News

    On Aug. 1, the CMS released the annual hospital IPPS final rule updating policies for Medicare payment and quality reporting and performance programs.

    • Aug. 5, 2022

    The AAMC hosted a Day of Action on June 7 to urge Congress to expand Medicare support for graduate medical education (GME).

    • June 10, 2022

    The AAMC submitted comments to the VA on a proposed GME Pilot Program to provide funding for no fewer than 100 VA residency positions at non-VA facilities.

    • July 8, 2022

    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published final rules for the distribution of 1,000 residency slots starting in 2023.

    • Jan. 7, 2022