AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO David J. Skorton, M.D., and Chief Public Policy Officer Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, issued the following statement on the introduction in the U.S. Senate of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which aims to increase federal support for physicians’ graduate medical education (GME) programs:
“The AAMC applauds Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for introducing important, bipartisan legislation to help expand the physician workforce and address the estimated physician shortage of up to 124,000 doctors by the year 2034. As the U.S. population increases and continues to age, requiring more medical care, it is critical to ensure there are enough physicians to provide care for patients who need it.
Additionally, as many physicians near traditional retirement age, there is an urgent need to educate and train more doctors to help ensure there are enough physicians to care for patients in communities across our country. It is vital that Congress ensures the physician workforce is able to adequately grow with federal support.
This thoughtful bill, along with similar legislation introduced in the House of Representatives, aims to build upon recent bipartisan success by gradually increasing the number of federally supported medical residency positions by 2,000 annually over seven years. By making these critical investments in physician training, this legislation serves to strengthen the health care workforce and improve the health of patients, families, and communities nationwide.
The AAMC remains committed to working together with Congress to advance this critically important piece of legislation to help alleviate the doctor shortage, ensure access to health care for all communities, and strengthen the health care workforce.”