ASA Joins Physician Organizations in Urging Senate to Strengthen Physician Workforce

On May 22, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) along with 80 physician organizations urged the U.S. Senate leadership to consider and pass S. 1302, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, legislation to strengthen the physician workforce.
 
The legislation would provide funding for 14,000 additional residency positions.  Currently, the number of residency slots supported by Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding is limited by the 1997 Balanced Budget Act (BBA).  Last week, ASA members advocated in support of S. 1302 during lobbying visits with lawmakers and staff as part of the 2023 ASA Legislative Conference on Capitol Hill.
 
Companion legislation, H.R. 2389, has been introduced in the House of Representatives.  ASA urges Congress to advance this legislation.