APTR Urges Congress to Include Support for Physician Training in Upcoming Infrastructure Bill

APTR has joined the Association of American Medical Colleges GME Advocacy Coalition in support of increasing Medicare-supported GME in the upcoming infrastructure package. APTR signed-on to a letter sent to President Biden, Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader McCarthy urging federal support for physician training be included in upcoming legislative efforts to improve the nation’s infrastructure. Physicians are a vital part of our health care infrastructure, and it is critical that we train more in order to meet the needs of our diverse and growing nation, ensure patient access to care, and prepare for the next public health crisis.

The United States is facing a shortage of between 54,100 and 139,000 physicians by 2033 – a dearth that is almost certain to be exacerbated by rising rates of physician burnout and early retirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The physician workforce, much like our population, is aging, with nearly 45 percent of active physicians in the United States being age 55 and older. Access issues persist for patients in both rural and urban underserved communities, and in both primary and specialty care, and it is crucial that we invest in our country’s health care infrastructure by helping provide them with the physicians they need and improved access care.

View the Letter