Medical Education in Rural Districts

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about the urgent need to address doctor shortages in rural and medically underserved communities throughout our country. The current pandemic and problems with vaccine distribution have highlighted the dangers behind a lack of access to the quality of healthcare in these areas. I am working to change that right now.

Unlike producing personal protective equipment, it takes years to train a physician. This week, I will introduce legislation to invest in medical education and to create new medical schools throughout this country and in underserved communities like mine in the San Joaquin Valley.

This bill will help curb the shortfall of physicians in rural areas by enabling medical students to stay close to home. Studies increasingly show that students who can study close to home are more likely to stay there and practice there upon graduation.

If we want to keep the promise that every American who wants a vaccine will get one, then we need to have more doctors, nurses, and medical providers throughout our country. This legislation would do just that.

Helping my constituents and keeping them safe is my number one priority. I will continue to do whatever it takes to make that happen. This is important legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support this legislation in a bipartisan basis.

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