Sinema-backed bipartisan legislation addresses Arizona’s doctor shortage by increasing the number of Medicare-supported training opportunities
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored bipartisan the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act—bipartisan legislation that would add new Medicare-sponsored residency positions in Arizona for qualifying hospitals, including rural hospitals and areas identified as health professional shortage areas.
“Bolstering the pipeline for doctors’ training will help address Arizona’s doctor shortage, especially in rural hospitals and underserved areas,” said Sinema.
Sinema’s bipartisan bill bolsters the doctor training pipeline, improves the capacity and strength of Arizona’s health care workforce, and diminishes unfair health care imbalance between urban and rural communities. An arbitrary cap on the number of Medicare-supported training positions has contributed to Arizona’s doctor shortage. Many residents stay and become doctors in the communities where they were trained.
With Arizona’s growing aging population, increasing life expectancy, the multiple chronic conditions that accompany extended life, and the state’s difficulty in attracting and retaining medical professionals in rural areas, Sinema’s bill has the potential to improve access to care for all Arizonans and boost the capacity of Arizona’s health care workforce.