ASCP is teaming up with the American Association of Medical Colleges to endorse legislation intended to address physician (and pathologist) shortages. The measure, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021, is being introduced by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and John Boozman (R-AR) and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). This bipartisan legislation aims to expand the number of federally-supported medical residency positions by 2,000 annually for seven years, and will help address the growing physician shortage.
The measure also requires the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a study on strategies for increasing health professional workforce diversity. ASCP also introduced a companion bill, introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Terri Sewell (D-AL), John Katko (R-NY), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), and Rodney Davis (R-IL). The methodology employed for allocating the new residency slots is structured to benefit teaching hospitals not current over their cap.
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