Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno) and Rep. Adam Gray (D–Merced) have introduced legislation that would help build medical schools to provide more physicians in underserved areas.
They introduced the bill into the House of Representatives, while Senators Alex Padilla (D–CA) and Tim Kaine (D–VA) introduced the Senate version of the bill.
The big picture: The bill, titled the Expanding Medical Education Act, would provide federal grants to colleges by prioritizing minority-serving institutions, as well as those located in rural and underserved areas.
- Institutions that receive the grants would use the funding to establish schools of medicine or osteopathic medicines.
- UCSF Fresno and UC Merced would be two of the institutions that would be eligible to receive the federal grants.
- There is not a total funding estimate at this point, with Costa saying during a press conference on Tuesday that they have asked Congressional Research Service to provide an estimate.
Why it matters: The Association of American Medical Colleges projects that the U.S. will have a shortage of up to 125,100 physicians by 2034.
- While the Central Valley has been the fastest-growing region in California, the Valley has the lowest supply of physicians. The current ration is 47 doctors per 100,000 residents throughout the Valley, while the statewide average is 60 physicians per 100,000 residents.
What we’re watching: The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.
What they’re saying: “The shortage of doctors in the San Joaquin Valley and across rural America has been a serious issue for far too long, and we must continue to address it,” Costa said. “My legislation will help build a medical school in the Valley and strengthen our healthcare system. Training and retaining local doctors are key to tackling this crisis and ensuring people access to quality healthcare.”
- Gray added, “The San Joaquin Valley is experiencing one of the worst physician shortages in the country. I’m proud to have secured over $200 million in funding for development at UC Merced, including for the joint medical school program with UCSF, but there is still work to be done to make sure our communities have reliable access to medical care. The Expanding Medical Education Act would deliver much-needed support to medical education programs in rural and underserved areas like the Valley and improve access to care.”
