Conyers Introduces Legislation Addressing Physician Shortage

Washington, DC - In response to the physician shortage crisis in the United States, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. has introduced H.R. 5770: The U.S. Physician Shortage Elimination Act. This legislation will increase the number of physicians in the areas of primary care, psychiatric care, and emergency medicine, particularly in underserved communities located in rural areas and our inner cities.

"Last night, I proudly introduced The U.S. Physician Shortage Elimination Act, H.R. 5770," stated Conyers. "This bill replenishes the dwindling supply of physicians by allocating funds for medical school scholarships, providing grants to medical schools to increase class size and number of faculty, and delivering funds to medical facilities for expansion of physician training.

Data regarding the physician shortage is alarming. The average life expectancy in the United States has increased to 80 years of age, indicating that there is an ever-increasing demand for medical care. Physicians who graduated from medical schools in the 1970's will be leaving the profession within the next 10 years, causing a decrease of 30 percent in the supply of physicians. According to an L.A. Times report, one in five U.S. residents lives in a rural or urban area that has so few physicians that the federal government considers medically underserved. Furthermore, because emergency rooms across the country are also facing a substantial shortage of specialists, patients are often transported long distances for proper treatment, which can have catastrophic consequences.

Because of these disturbing trends, the Congress must immediately address this issue. It is my hope that there will be a groundswell around the country to pass this crucial legislation.

H.R. 5770, The U.S. Physician Shortage Elimination Act, would create a National Health Service Corps Medical School Scholarship Program that would provide funding for students from underprivileged areas and for those who desire to attend medical school and cannot afford to do so. Those students awarded scholarships will be required to complete six years of service in medical areas impacted by the physician shortage in an attempt to assure that physicians remain in underserved areas.

Medical schools would benefit under this legislation by being awarded grants that would create an increased capacity to accept students and recruit faculty. Despite larger graduating classes, the increased number of faculty will enable medical schools continue to maintain low student/professor ratios. This will ensure that the quality of medical education in the United States will remain at its current high.

More importantly, funds would be allocated under the legislation to residency programs and primary care services offered by community health centers. Funds will be allocated to medical facilities primary care capabilities for the construction, expansion, or renovation. These medical facilities will gain additional staff, resulting in the improvement of patient care."

###7-13-2006###