Bill Would Mean 15,000 More Doctors Trained Here

Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel is co-sponsoring legislation that would increase the number of doctors in New York by changing Federal rules that limit the number of residents hospitals can hire.

Rep. Engel said, “With the aging baby boomer population, our nation is facing a critical shortage of physicians. As a senior member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I am proud to join with my colleagues in introducing legislation to expand Medicare-supported residency slots, with an emphasis on primary care, training in community health centers, and other community-based training. As we work with President Obama on a comprehensive healthcare reform package, this proposal should be included as it will have a positive effect on our shortage of doctors in New York and nationwide."

The legislation, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2009 (HR 2251), would increase the number of doctors-in-training by adding 15,000 to the number of Medicare-supported hospital residency positions, bringing the total to about 115,000. It was introduced by fellow New Yorkers Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Joseph Crowley. Under the proposed bill, New York hospitals would receive millions in new federal funding to train enough medical residents in primary care and essential specialties like general surgery to meet the needs of patients.

Currently, Federal Medicare rules limit the number of residents New York City hospitals and hospitals across the country are able to hire, without being penalized millions in Medicare funding.