Torres Small Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Address Rural Doctor Shortages

March 22, 2019 by Dan McCue
Torres Small Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Address Rural Doctor Shortages

Last week, Representative Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M., introduced The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 (H.R. 1763), which she and her bipartisan cosponsors say will take definitive steps toward reducing nationwide physician shortages, with an emphasis in rural areas.

The bill introduced by Torres Small, fellow Democrat Representative Terri Sewell, of Alabama, and Republican Representatives John Katko, of New York, and Rodney Davis, of Illinois on March 14 increases the number of Medicare-supported residency positions by 15,000.

“An expecting mother shouldn’t have to drive for hours and across state lines for every single prenatal appointment,” Torres Small said in announcing the bill. “Veterans shouldn’t have to get on a bus in the middle of the night to get to a doctor’s appointment in Albuquerque the next day. These are the obstacles that our rural communities face when trying to access basic healthcare needs.

“H.R. 1763 will significantly increase training programs for rural physicians and take the first steps towards expanding rural healthcare access and incentivizing medical students to serve our rural communities,” Torres Small said.

For the past two decades, an artificial cap on the number of residents funded by Medicare – which is the primary source of payment for residents – has limited the expansion of training programs and the number of trainees.

If passed, this legislation would support an additional 3,000 positions each year for the next five years, for a total of 15,000 residency positions, with priority going to hospitals or approved medical residency training programs with an integrated rural track.

It also directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on strategies for increasing the diversity of healthcare professionals, especially those from rural, lower income, and underrepresented minority communities.

Among those that have already thrown their support behind the legislation is the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, which represents 35 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in 32 states.

In a letter to the bill sponsors, the association called their effort “timely” and lauded them for giving “priority to hospitals in states with new medical schools and emphasize training in community-based settings.

“The bill’s additional GAO requirement to conduct a study on strategies for increasing health professional workforce diversity is critical to encourage greater connections and services between traditionally underserved communities and the emerging physician workforce,” the association said.

It went on to say that because the bill ensures additional residency slots are made available to new medical school graduates to pursue their post-graduate training and become licensed practicing physicians, it will result in expanded access to patient care, particularly in the rural and underserved areas that historically face chronic primary care shortages.”

The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

A+
a-
  • bipartisan
  • doctor shortage
  • health
  • legislation
  • U.S. Congress
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Health

    NFL Widows Struggled to Care for Former Players With CTE. They Say a New Study Minimizes Their Pain

    BOSTON (AP) — Dozens of widows and other caregivers for former NFL players diagnosed with CTE say a published study... Read More

    BOSTON (AP) — Dozens of widows and other caregivers for former NFL players diagnosed with CTE say a published study is insulting and dismissive of their experience living with the degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions and other repeated head trauma common in contact sports... Read More

    June 18, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    FDA Approves Gilead's Twice-Yearly Injection for HIV Prevention

    WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Gilead Sciences’ lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection for preventing HIV infection... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Gilead Sciences’ lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection for preventing HIV infection in adults and adolescents. The drug, part of a class of drugs known as capsid inhibitors, will be sold under the brand name Yeztugo. In two... Read More

    Older Adults in the US Increasingly Dying From Unintentional Falls

    NEW YORK (AP) — Older U.S. adults are increasingly dying from unintentional falls, according to a new federal report published... Read More

    NEW YORK (AP) — Older U.S. adults are increasingly dying from unintentional falls, according to a new federal report published Wednesday, with white people accounting for the vast majority of the deaths. From 2003 to 2023, death rates from falls rose more than 70% for adults... Read More

    Kraft Heinz Pulling Certain Artificial Dyes From Its US Products in 2027

    Kraft Heinz will be pulling certain artificial dyes from its U.S. products starting in 2027 and will no longer roll... Read More

    Kraft Heinz will be pulling certain artificial dyes from its U.S. products starting in 2027 and will no longer roll out new products with the dyes. The move comes nearly two months after U.S. health officials said that they would urge foodmakers to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors in the... Read More

    June 16, 2025
    by Jesse Zucker
    Slay the Dragon, Stay in Shape!

    WASHINGTON — If your idea of working out includes slaying dragons, dancing on a glowing floor, or boxing a virtual... Read More

    WASHINGTON — If your idea of working out includes slaying dragons, dancing on a glowing floor, or boxing a virtual opponent in your living room, congratulations! You’re part of a growing fitness trend known as exergaming, where physical movement meets digital play.  While it may sound... Read More

    June 16, 2025
    by Jesse Zucker
    Summer 2025 Health Guide

    WASHINGTON — When you are young, summertime means freedom from school, days at camp and more time to play outside... Read More

    WASHINGTON — When you are young, summertime means freedom from school, days at camp and more time to play outside with friends. When you grow up it’s mostly business as usual. But you can still enjoy beach days, fresh produce, and more sunshine. Here is your... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top