The federal government, through Medicare, supports its share of the costs associated with training residents. The amount of Medicare support was effectively capped by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, limiting the number of doctors that our nation’s teaching hospitals could train. Legislation providing a modest increase in Medicare support for residency, also known as graduate medical education (GME), has been introduced.
America faces a nationwide physician shortage as demand for health care accelerates because of a growing, diversifying, and aging population. Residency plays a crucial role in preparing physicians like you to meet this increased demand. Establishing a physician workforce able to meet the nation's future health care needs requires adequate investment in GME.
You’re devoting your life to the care of others. Medical schools are enrolling more students to keep up with rising demand for care, and, along with teaching hospitals, are working to innovate and provide a better learning environment for residents and better care for patients. All that’s left is for our nation’s leaders to strengthen the foundation of our medical system and secure support for GME.
Learn more about what the AAMC is doing on GME, including about proposed GME expansion legislation on our Key Issue page.
