Reed & Blunt Propose Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen and Expand the Health Care Workforce

Press Release

In an effort to build a stronger health care workforce and ensure patients have access to the medical care they need, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) have teamed up to introduce the Building a Health Care Workforce for the Future Act. This legislation would help address the looming health care workforce shortage by making it easier for students to pursue careers in health care, with an emphasis on primary care, and encouraging providers to work in medically under-served communities and practice areas of highest need.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, by 2025, there will be a shortage of up to 90,000 physicians. Approximately one third of the shortage, up to 31,100, will be in primary care. Individuals and families living in underserved areas -- urban and rural -- will continue to be those most disadvantaged by this shortage. The Building a Health Care Workforce for the Future Act would authorize programs that would grow the overall number of health care providers, and incentivize providers to consider careers in neighborhoods and practice areas where they are most in-demand.

"We cannot afford to ignore the symptoms of an overburdened health care workforce any longer. With a projected shortage of health care providers on the horizon, this bipartisan legislation will help our health care workforce better meet the number of patients in need, particularly with regard to primary care providers and care in underserved areas. Expanding and improving access to care must be a top priority for Congress, and I am glad to be joined by Senator Blunt in calling for action before the problem gets worse. Investing in our health care workforce is good for public health as well as our economy," said Senator Reed.

Reed noted that after successful efforts to expand the health care system to provide health insurance to millions more Americans, the uninsured rate has decreased to the lowest level since 1997 over the last two years. In Rhode Island, the uninsured rate decreased by half, down to five percent. As a result, millions of Americans are going to the doctor for preventive health care for the first time, and the U.S. health care workforce must grow accordingly to ensure that there are enough health care professionals to treat the newly insured.

"As our nation's need for a strong health care workforce continues to grow, it's important we invest in students looking to pursue a career in primary and secondary care," said Senator Blunt. "This bill will help curb workforce shortages by strengthening scholarship programs, increasing mentorship opportunities, and giving medical schools resources they need to improve competencies in priority areas so that underserved communities have access to timely, quality health care. I am glad to again work with my colleague Senator Reed on this issue and appreciate his efforts."

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