Overview
An appropriate supply of well-educated and trained physicians — both in specialty and primary care — is essential
to ensure access to quality health care services for all Americans. Unfortunately, the nation is facing an acute
shortage of physicians, due to an aging population and the expansion of health insurance coverage through the
Affordable Care Act (ACA). New research from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
continues to point to a severe shortage between 46,900 and 121,900 physicians by 2032 — with a shortfall of up to
55,200 in primary care and 65,800 in specialty care (including surgeons). The supply of surgeons, in particular, is
projected to have little growth by 2032, but projected demand is expected
to increase, resulting in a shortage of between 14,300 to 23,400 surgeons
by 2032.
The federal government —primarily through Medicare — provides
funds to support graduate medical education (GME). Unfortunately,
however, while medical schools in the U.S. have increased their
enrollments, and additional medical and osteopathic schools have been
established, the number of Medicare-funded resident positions has been
capped by law at 1996 levels.
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