Congress under pressure to address MD shortage

With the proposed 10 percent Medicare pay cut raising the stakes, Congress is under increasing pressure to fight the ongoing doctor shortage with new legislation. The Physician Shortage Elimination Act, which originally was filed back in mid-2006 [1], would provide millions of dollars for more scholarships for medical students, as well as expanding residency training programs. Even without the pay cut, one-third of the nation's approximately 750,000 doctors are over 55 and likely to retire within the next decade. Meanwhile, medical school enrollment isn't keeping pace with U.S. population growth, which should climb 24 percent over the next 10 years. Clearly, something has got to give here--the question is who will do the giving.

To learn more about Congress's efforts:
- read this Hartford Courant piece [2]

Related Articles:
Senate may roll back 10 percent Medicare fee cut for MDs. Report [3]
AMA keeps fighting Medicare cuts. Report [4]
Doctor shortage slows Massachusetts health reform. Report [5]
Community clinics face doctor shortage. Report [6]