AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., issued the following statement today about cuts to the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Payment Program in the 2011 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) operating plan:

"The AAMC is deeply concerned about the $48.5 million in cuts to CHGME funding. At a time when the nation faces a critical doctor shortage and more Americans are about to enter the health insurance system, any cuts to funding that supports physician training will have serious repercussions for America's health.

"Our nation will face a serious shortage of both primary care and specialist physicians by 2020, including pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Expert Work Group on Pediatric Subspecialties describes the "crisis" in pediatric subspecialty care as one caused by an insufficient number of specialists, an increasing demand for services, and not enough funding for medical education. The lack of available care harms children and families and produces economic inefficiencies in the health care system as a whole.

"CHGME hospitals train 40 percent of all pediatricians, and provide required pediatric rotations for residents in general internal medicine and family medicine. They also train 43 percent of pediatric specialists and the majority of pediatric researchers. The loss of vital CHGME payments runs counter to the need to strengthen the physician workforce-particularly for primary care-and to ensure access to necessary, high-quality specialty care. Both are important elements of community-based medical homes and integrated care.

"While today's economic climate is difficult and a close examination of spending is critical, cuts that would jeopardize future doctor training are very troubling and short-sighted. We need more doctors, not fewer."

Source:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)