AAMC-Backed Bill To Improve Access, Reduce Physician Shortage Introduced In Senate

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 06 May 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) applauded Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for introducing legislation that would increase the number of Medicare-supported training positions for medical residents by 15 percent (approximately 15,000 slots). As a champion of legislation to increase federal investment in the education and training of physicians, the AAMC plans to work with its member medical schools and teaching hospitals to secure passage of the legislation.

"Millions of Americans either live in health professional shortage areas, or have no insurance, so it's important that health care reform expand coverage and improve access," said AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D. "The AAMC has been pleased to work with Congress on this legislation that will help ensure an adequate supply of physicians and allow teaching hospitals to train them in the most appropriate settings."

In 1997, the Balanced Budget Act froze the number of Medicare-supported resident training slots in hospitals at 1996 levels. The new legislation would redirect unused training slots and increase the cap by 15 percent to hospitals seeking to expand existing programs or establish new programs. The majority of the new and redistributed training slots would be targeted preferentially to institutions that increase the number of residency positions in primary care, general surgery, and those that train physicians in non-hospital settings.

The Senate bill would also change existing rules so residents can be trained in non-hospital settings such as physician offices, community health centers, and other ambulatory care sites. Finally, the legislation would allow communities to continue training residents, supported by Medicare, when teaching hospitals close.

Similar legislation is expected to be introduced in the House by Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.).

The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 130 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and nearly 90 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 125,000 faculty members, 75,000 medical students, and 106,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at http://www.aamc.org/newsroom.

Source
Association of American Medical Colleges

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