Menendez, Boozman, Schumer Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Doctor Shortage as Crisis Worsens
Statement
U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today introduced the bipartisan Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 to increase Medicare-supported doctor training slots by 15,000 to help address the growing nationwide physician shortage crisis. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. is expected to face a shortage of more than 120,000 primary care and specialty physicians by 2030.
"With an older physician workforce, and an aging population overall, the demand for qualified doctors in New Jersey is quickly outpacing supply," said Sen. Menendez. "We simply have far too few medical school students and physician residents in the training pipeline in order to catch up. If we're going to meet the future needs of our residents and ensure access to quality health care, we must close the gap by lifting the arbitrary cap--quickly."
"It is no secret that our health care system is in need of significant reform. However, there are some reasonable, simple steps we can take to increase access to quality medical services in Arkansas," said Sen. Boozman. "Lifting this antiquated cap on training slots for medical school graduates is a perfect example of a small reform that can make a big difference. The number of available physicians per population in the Natural State is among the lowest in the nation and providers of all specialties are facing a serious shortfall, especially in Arkansas's rural communities. This commonsense bill is a small step toward a system that ensures access to affordable, quality care for every American. Senator Menendez and I encourage our colleagues to join with us in this effort."
"One of the most pressing issues millions of Americans face right now is the nationwide shortage of physicians -- from primary care physicians that are often the first phone call we make when we are feeling sick, to OB/GYNs that protect and advance women's health while safely bringing new life into their lives, and specialty physicians that for many embody what it means to be a lifesaver," said Sen. Schumer. "The Physician Shortage Act of 2019, which I am proud to champion, will tackle this problem head-on by creating 15,000 new residency training slots across the United States and prioritizing those slots for communities that need them most. I'll fight tooth and nail to see that this critical legislation passes the Senate and is signed into law, to ensure that all Americans have easy access to a physician and the care and medical services they deserve and need."
In 1997, the Balanced Budget Act created an arbitrary cap on the number of Medicare-funded graduate medical education (GME) positions. The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act would increase the number of GME positions nationwide by 3,000 a year for five years.
"The United States is facing a critical shortage of more than 121,000 primary care and specialty physicians by 2030, putting our country's health security at risk. The AAMC greatly appreciates Senators Menendez (D-N.J.), Boozman (R-Ark.), and Schumer's (D-N.Y.) ongoing commitment to address the physician shortage and applauds their introduction of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019," said Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., President & CEO, Association of American Medical Colleges. "Physicians are a critical element of our health care infrastructure and this bipartisan legislation would make a strategic investment in the health care workforce by providing a measured increase in federal support for physician training. We are committed to working with these lead sponsors, and all members of Congress, to alleviate the doctor shortage for the benefit of all Americans."
"Our goal is a healthy New Jersey, where all individuals in every zip code have access to the healthcare services they need," said NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett. We applaud Sen. Menendez for introducing the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act to help New Jersey's teaching hospitals grow the next generation of physicians and ensure access to medical care across our state."
"This much-needed bill underscores not only the critical importance of teaching hospitals and their mission to train medical residents, but also the crucial need to address the nation's worsening physician shortage," said Kenneth E. Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents seven hospitals and networks in New Jersey, including Hackensack Meridian Health, Holy Name Medical Center, New Bridge Medical Center, St. Joseph's Health, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, University Hospital, and the VA New Jersey Health Care System. "The entire teaching hospital community thanks Senator Menendez, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, and Senator Boozman for their leadership on this vital issue."
New Jersey currently suffers from a shortage of physicians. A New Jersey Physician Workforce Task Force reports estimates that an additional 2,500 to 2,800 physicians by 2020 are necessary to meet New Jersey's health care needs. According to data from the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA), a third of New Jersey's practicing physicians are over 60 years-old, the third highest in the nation, and the state ranks 46th in the nation in the percentage of doctors under 40, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Each year, New Jersey has approximately 3,100 physician residents in training at 43 hospitals. At the same time, NJHA estimates that New Jersey has approximately 32 medical students and resident physicians in training per 100,000 residents compared to 81 and 62 in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania, respectively.
The Senators' bill would prioritize increasing positions in states with new medical schools, hospitals training physicians in excess of their cap, hospitals who partner with VA medical centers, as well as hospitals who focus on community- based training setting.
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