PHX Reporter

PHOENIX, AZ – On June 26, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) held a press conference at The University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, to discuss Arizona’s pressing physician shortage and his work to address it.

“No one should worry about finding a doctor when they need care. But a shortage of doctors has left one in five Valley residents unsure how they will get care. In rural areas, like Santa Cruz or La Paz County, it’s even worse. Two in every five rural Arizonans say healthcare accessibility is an issue,” said Rep. Gallego. “That’s why I’m proud to announce my full support for the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. By making it easier for Arizona hospitals and health centers to train residents, this legislation establishes a critical pipeline of future Arizona doctors.”

At the press conference, Rep. Gallego was joined by:

• Tim Bricker, President, Dignity Health Southwest Division
• Erica Brown, Executive Director, Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance
• Shirley Gunther, VP of External Affairs, Dignity Health Arizona Division
• Dr. Cheryl O’Malley, Associate Dean of Graduate Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
• Dr. Michael Kupferman, Senior VP of Physician Enterprise and President of Banner - University Medicine Division
• Steve Purves, President and CEO, Valleywise Health
• Dr. Guy Reed, Dean of Graduate Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
• Ana Roscetti, Director of Workforce, Arizona Alliance of Community Health Centers
• Lorenzo Sierra, VP of Growth Strategies, Terros Health
• Matthew Sotelo, Director of Leadership, Valle del Sol
• Dr. Karen Tepper, CEO, Terros Health
• Warren Whitney, Senior VP of Government Relations, Valleywise Health 

"As one of the largest academic training hospital systems in Arizona, we know that the caps on Medicare-funded residency slots continue to pose a serious threat to the future supply of physicians in this state," said Tim Bricker, President of Dignity Health's Southwest Division. "We are grateful for Congressman Gallego's leadership and commitment to securing additional training opportunities for physicians in Arizona and across the country through the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023. It is critical that we invest in training enough doctors to meet the demands of Ariziona’s growing population so that patients have access to the timely, appropriate care that they need and deserve."

“The Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance was launched to strengthen and expand the Graduate Medical Education programs at Valleywise Health and Dignity Health-St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. A pillar of the Creighton Alliance is to increase the number of physicians in our state to care for our communities. We have seen over 50% of our graduates stay in Arizona and begin their clinical practice upon completion of their residency and/or fellowship training. Increasing the number of residency positions available over the next several years will help expand the volume of physicians trained and retained in Arizona and combat the healthcare provider shortage we are facing. The Creighton Alliance supports H.R.2389 with our hospital partners Valleywise Health and Dignity Health-St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center to fulfill Arizona’s need to train the next generation of physicians for our state,” said Erica Brown, Executive Director, Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance.

“The promise of quality healthcare for every American can only be met if we have the number of healthcare professionals necessary to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population. The ‘Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act’ is the kind of far-sighted legislation this country needs. Not only does it significantly increase the number of Medicare-supported medical residency positions, but it prioritizes a share of those positions for areas of the country struggling with healthcare workforce shortages,” said Mary R. Grealy, President, Healthcare Leadership Council.

“Banner Health is committed to addressing the physician workforce challenges facing Arizona over the next decade. We have recently invested in expanding residency and fellowship training at our hospitals to increase the number of trained physicians in Arizona, with the goal of improving access to health care for all residents throughout the state. This proposal will provide critical support for graduate medical education to further address the state's physician workforce shortage,” said Dr. Michael Kupferman, Senior VP of Physician Enterprise and President of Banner - University Medicine Division.

"Valle del Sol is a federally qualified healthcare center, and we see first-hand the struggles our community members experience in finding and accessing primary care services. We thank Congressman Gallego for his efforts to promote the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R.2389) to ensure Arizona is meeting the medical needs of the community. By addressing the shortage of medical professionals, more community members will have access to take charge of their health, regardless of zip code," said Terri Leon, Interim CEO for Valle del Sol.

“Increasing GME positions in Arizona to account for population growth, expanded health insurance coverage and increasing enrollment in undergraduate medical education through MD and DO programs will strengthen pathways to practice for the physician workforce in Arizona,” said Cheryl O’Malley, MD, Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

“The residency positions in the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act are a critical step in working to address the nation’s dire physician shortage,” said AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD. “By strategically targeting these new medical residency positions at a wide variety of teaching hospitals, we are also strengthening and diversifying the health care workforce and improving critical access to care for patients, families, and communities across the country. The AAMC remains committed to working with Congress to advance this vitally important piece of legislation that will help alleviate the doctor shortage and improve the health of people everywhere.”

“At Terros Health, we care for people who have traditionally had a difficult time accessing medical providers. Many of the individuals we serve have not received medical services in years and struggle to access them. H.R.2389 will help us to meet these increasingly significant needs particularly in underserved communities. We appreciate Congressman Gallego's support in helping to meet the growing need to develop medical providers in Arizona,” said Dr. Karen Tepper, CEO Terros Health.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Arizona is short more than 650 primary care physicians. The problem is particularly acute in rural areas. A recent study from Northern Arizona University found that 40% of rural Arizonans worry about healthcare accessibility. The shortage is also being felt nationwide. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) data, the United States faces a projected physician shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034.

To address the shortage, Gallego has signed on to the bipartisan Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. The legislation would expand the number of Medicare-supported medical residency positions by 14,000 over seven years.

Original source can be found here.