Dear Member of Congress:
The undersigned organizations, representing over 65 associations and specialty societies,
strongly encourage you to cosponsor the “The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act
of 2019” (S. 348, H.R. 1763). This bipartisan legislation would provide a responsible increase in
Medicare support for graduate medical education (GME) to address the impending national
physician workforce shortage. While we understand the many challenges Congress faces in the
coming months, we stress the need to expand Medicare’s support for physician training to ensure
all Americans have access to the care they deserve.
As you may know, the demand for physicians continues to grow faster than supply, leading to a
projected shortfall of between 42,600 and 121,300 physicians by 2030 with predicted shortages
in both primary and specialty care. Physicians are a critical element of our health care
infrastructure and workforce, and if we do not address this impending problem, patients from
pediatrics to geriatrics, will find it difficult to access the care they need. While this is a serious
issue for all of us, it is especially problematic because of our aging population and physician
retirement. A person’s need for a physician increases with age, and the U.S. population aged 65
and older is predicted to grow 50% by 2030.
America’s medical schools, teaching hospitals, and their physician partners are doing their part
by investing in physician and health care provider training and leading innovations in new care
delivery models that are more efficient and include better use of technologies — like telehealth
— that improve patient access to care. Even with these efforts, however, shortages and access
challenges will persist unless we expand the physician workforce.
Though shortfalls will affect all Americans, the most vulnerable populations, like those in rural
and underserved areas, will be the first to feel the impact of the deficit of physicians. We are
particularly concerned for our senior population whose Medicare eligibility and utilization of
health care grows daily.
We look forward to working together to support the training of future physicians and to secure
the passage of this important legislation.
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