Best news ever

[paulja]

I hope this gets passed!!!
AAMC-Backed Bill to Improve Access, Reduce Physician Shortage Introduce in Congress

[RussianJoo]

even if it does it won't be anytime in the near future. Social Security has no money to do it now, maybe 5 or 10 years from now when we're out of the recession.

[rokshana]

i can't open the link....what does it say?

[RussianJoo]

yeah the link was broken for me too but i think this is what the OP is talking about.

AAMC-Backed Bill to Improve Access, Reduce Physician Shortage Introduce in Congress

[anesthetic_ambitions]

i can't open the link....what does it say?

I couldn't either and then I just refreshed it, it worked. At any rate:


Washington, D.C., May 5, 2009—The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) applauded Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) today for introducing the "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2009," which would increase the number of Medicare-supported training positions for medical residents by 15 percent (approximately 15,000 slots). As a champion of legislation to increase federal investment in the education and training of physicians, the AAMC plans to work with its member medical schools and teaching hospitals to secure passage of the legislation.

"Millions of Americans either live in health professional shortage areas, or have no insurance, so it's important that health care reform expand coverage and improve access," said AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D. "The AAMC has been pleased to work with Congress on this legislation that will help ensure an adequate supply of physicians and allow teaching hospitals to train them in the most appropriate settings."

In 1997, the Balanced Budget Act froze the number of Medicare-supported resident training slots in hospitals at 1996 levels. The new legislation would redirect unused training slots and increase the cap by 15 percent to hospitals seeking to expand existing programs or establish new programs. The majority of the new and redistributed training slots would be targeted preferentially to institutions that increase the number of residency positions in primary care, general surgery, and those that train physicians in non-hospital settings.

The Senate bill would also change existing rules so residents can be trained in non-hospital settings such as physician offices, community health centers, and other ambulatory care sites. Finally, the legislation would allow communities to continue training residents, supported by Medicare, when teaching hospitals close.

Similar legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.).

[tennisball80]

Nice. It should happen in the future 8 years. I will be out of med school by then.

[joe soap]

this makes sense ...the O administration will keep pushing for increased slots....we have a PCP shortage. .

[Arkie, M.D.]

even if it does it won't be anytime in the near future. Social Security has no money to do it now, maybe 5 or 10 years from now when we're out of the recession.

As if being in a recession has ever stopped O from spending money before?!!!!!

[RussianJoo]

As if being in a recession has ever stopped O from spending money before?!!!!!

you know what you're 100% correct. what was i thinking... he'll just print some more like he did with bailing out all these companies.. putting extra billions of dollars into the economy won't have any effect on inflation.

I hope you guys are getting ready.

[RussianJoo]

here's a good one too.