AHA-supported bill would provide grants to expand physician training programs

Reps. Tom Cole, R-Okla., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., and Dina Titus, D-Nev., and Sens. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., today introduced the Medical Student Education Authorization Act, AHA-supported legislation that would provide grants to public institutions of higher education to expand or support graduate education for physicians. The bill would focus the grants on institutions in states with the most severe primary care provider shortages to increase the likelihood the new physicians will practice there.

“The AHA commends Representatives Cole, Mullin and Titus and Senators Inhofe and Rosen for introducing this important bipartisan legislation to help increase the number of physicians across the country, especially in areas with the most severe provider shortages,” said AHA Executive Vice President Stacey Hughes. “Having a talented, qualified, engaged and diverse workforce is at the heart of America’s health care system but many physicians and other health care professionals are exhausted from two years of being on the front lines battling COVID-19. We look forward to working with Congress to pass this critical legislation that will continue to help build the physician workforce pipeline, especially in medically underserved communities.”