Arkansas Advocate (07/25/2025) Vrbin, Tess

A bipartisan Senate coalition has reintroduced legislation that aims to address the physician shortage in the United States. Under the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, the federal limit on Medicare-funded graduate medical education (GME) slots would be lifted, increasing by 14,000 over 7 years. "There is an urgent, demonstrated need to strengthen our health care system by combating the alarming shortage of providers, particularly in rural areas," said Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), who is among the sponsors of this bill. "Lifting the outdated cap on residency positions supported by Medicare can expand the supply of physicians while helping ensure access to quality care and treatment in more communities nationwide." According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, most physicians continue to practice medicine in the state in which they completed their residencies. Boozman, an optometrist, is also sponsoring two other measures: the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act and the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act.

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