April 10, 2019: MGMA and GME coalition send letter in support of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act

April 10, 2019   
 
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.  
 
 

View the full letter