Addressing a Nationwide Physician Shortage

Federal legislation would bolster GME positions for hospitals

May 10, 2023

Federal lawmakers in both houses have introduced HAP-supported legislation that would bolster the physician workforce, adding 14,000 Medicare-supported residency positions in the next seven years.

During March, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. Senate lawmakers this week introduced companion legislation, which now moves through legislative committees for consideration. Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA) co-sponsored the House bill.

This week, HAP and members of the GME Advocacy Coalition wrote a letter to Fitzpatrick and Sewell thanking the lawmakers for taking action to support the nation’s hospitals and the physician workforce.

“America’s medical schools, teaching hospitals, and their physician partners are doing their part by investing in physician and health care provider training and leading innovations in new care delivery models that are more efficient and include better use of technologies that improve patient access to care,” the letter said. “Even with these efforts, however, shortages and access challenges will persist unless we expand the physician workforce.”

Here’s what you need to know:

• About the legislation:  The program supports the graduate medical education program (GME), adding 14,000 positions during the next seven years.
  • The legislation also would require a study focusing on increasing diversity in the health processional workforce.
• Key priorities:  A share of these added GME positions would be allocated to hospitals in rural areas and health professional shortage areas; hospitals in states with new medical schools or branch campuses; and hospitals already training above their GME cap.
• By the numbers:  The nation is facing a shortage of 124,000 primary care physicians by 2034.
• Quotable:  “With demand for physicians continuing to outpace supply as both the patient population and physician workforce continue to age—it is critical now more than ever that Congress build on recent bipartisan efforts and invest in training more doctors,” the GME Coalition noted in its letter.

This week, the American Hospital Association also expressed its support for the legislation in a letter to Senate leaders.

HAP thanks federal lawmakers for introducing this important legislation and will provide updates to members as it moves through the legislative process. Learn more about HAP’s workforce priorities.

For additional information, contact John Myers, HAP’s vice president, federal advocacy.