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Physicians

Senator John Boozman Introduces Legislation to Address Healthcare Workforce Shortage

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) has introduced the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act to increase the number of Medicare-supported doctor training slots available for medical students. This bipartisan legislation aims to address the projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. The bill would increase the number of residency slots available for hospitals to receive graduate medical education (GME) funding, helping to alleviate the shortage of primary and specialty care physicians in Arkansas and across the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act aims to increase the number of Medicare-supported doctor training slots available for medical students.
  • The bill would address the projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
  • The legislation would increase the number of residency slots available for hospitals to receive graduate medical education (GME) funding.
  • The cap on residency slots, established in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, restricts the number of training positions for which hospitals can receive GME funding.
  • Arkansas faces a pressing concern regarding consistent access to medical care, with the shortage of primary health care providers being a significant issue in rural areas.
  • The United States could see a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to projections.
  • The bill would prioritize rural areas, including Arkansas, which would benefit from additional medical residency slots to address the healthcare workforce shortage.
  • The legislation has received support from various stakeholders, including the Arkansas Hospital Association, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine.

Statistics:

  • Up to 86,000 physicians could be in short supply by 2036, according to projections.
  • 2036 is the year by which the U.S. is projected to face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians.
  • The number of residency slots available for hospitals is capped at a certain level, established in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
  • 1997 is the year in which the cap on residency slots was established.
  • Arkansas Hospital Association President and CEO Bo Ryall supports the legislation, citing its potential to address the critical physician shortage in the state.
  • The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. Steven Webber supports the bill, emphasizing the need for new streams of revenue to support graduate medical education.
  • Dr. Sharmila Makhija, Dean of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, supports the legislation, stating that physicians tend to practice where they complete their residency training, thus making the availability of additional GME slots essential.

Sources:

  • Politico, 7/24/25
  • Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/24/25
  • Talk Business & Politics, 7/24/25
  • Arkansas Advocate, 7/25/25
  • KARK, 8/1/25
  • THV11, 7/28/25
  • KASU, 7/31/25
  • Mountain Home Observer, 7/28/25
  • KHBZ, 7/27/25
  • SWArk Today, 7/25/25
  • Boozman, John. (2025). Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. [WASHINGTON D.C.]: John Boozman.

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