The AAMC applauds Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for introducing the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation would help grow the physician workforce and improve access to care for patients nationwide.
This bipartisan, bicameral bill would gradually increase the number of Medicare-supported residency positions by 14,000 over seven years, making key investments in physician training in rural and urban communities across the country. With a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, these new positions are instrumental in helping ensure patients everywhere have access to the timely, high-quality health care they deserve.
“Patients across the country are already feeling the effects of a strained physician workforce,” said AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD. “This crucial bill, along with its House companion, would build upon recent bipartisan success to expand federal support for residency training and improve access to care for patients everywhere.”
The nation’s academic health systems, teaching hospitals, and medical schools — collectively known as academic medicine — play a foundational role in training tomorrow’s doctors and providing cutting-edge patient care. Academic health systems make significant investments in physician training, but increased federal support is crucial to meet the needs of a growing and aging population.
“This legislation represents a strong, bipartisan commitment to expanding the physician workforce and improving health care outcomes,” said Skorton. “We are grateful to these Senate champions for their leadership, and we look forward to working with them to advance this critical legislation.”