WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a move to combat the growing crisis of physician shortages, particularly in states like Nevada, Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Boozman (R-AR) have joined forces to introduce the bipartisan Physicians for Underserved Areas Act.This legislation, unveiled on March 18, 2025, proposes a significant revision to the graduate medical education (GME) process, aiming to funnel more medical residency slots to areas grappling with a lack of physicians when hospitals shutter in other locations.

The situation in Nevada is particularly critical. Every single county within the state is currently facing a shortage of medical professionals. In 2024, Nevada ranked a concerning 45th nationwide in terms of physician availability per 100,000 residents. This scarcity directly impacts Nevadans’ access to timely and quality healthcare.

Senator Rosen articulated the urgency of the situation, stating,
The dire shortage of doctors in our state is hurting Nevadans’ ability to get quality medical care. We know that when more doctors train in our communities, they are more likely to stay here. That’s why I’m working across the aisle to bring more doctors to Nevada by increasing medical residency slots. I’ll keep working on commonsense solutions to ensure families can access affordable, quality health care.

Senator Boozman echoed these concerns,emphasizing the nationwide scope of the problem,
Rural communities in Arkansas and across the country continue to face health care challenges starting with a lack of available medical providers. I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan solution to ensure more medical school graduates practice in the communities that desperately need them so all Americans, no matter where they live, get the care they need.

Understanding the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act

The core of the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act lies in its proposed modification to the GME system. GME refers to the period of residency and fellowship training that doctors undertake after graduating from medical school. These are crucial years where physicians gain specialized skills and experience under supervision.

Currently, when a hospital closes, its allocated residency slots don’t automatically transfer to areas with the greatest need.This bill seeks to change that, creating a streamlined process for redistributing these slots to underserved communities. the goal is to incentivize newly trained doctors to establish their practices in areas where they are most needed, thus alleviating the existing healthcare disparities. This is especially significant as rural hospitals continue to close across the country, exacerbating doctor shortages.

consider, such as, a community in rural Montana where the local hospital recently closed. Without adequate residency slots being reallocated to the region, the community might struggle to attract new physicians, leading to longer wait times for appointments, reduced access to specialized care, and – ultimately – poorer health outcomes for residents.

Expert Perspectives

The proposed legislation has garnered support from medical educators and healthcare advocates across the country.

Marc J. Kahn,Dean of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada,las Vegas,emphasized the importance of expanding GME opportunities.
At the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, we recognize the critical need to expand Graduate Medical Education (GME) opportunities to address physician shortages in underserved areas. The Physicians for Underserved Areas Act is a crucial step toward ensuring that residency slots are redistributed in a way that prioritizes communities with the greatest need. By streamlining the process and expediting the timeline for GME slot reallocation, this legislation will help fill gaps in healthcare access and strengthen our medical workforce. We fully support this bipartisan effort led by Senator rosen and Senator Boozman and appreciate their commitment to improving healthcare for all.

Dr. John Packham, Associate dean of the University of Nevada, Reno’s School of Medicine, highlighted Nevada’s ongoing struggles.Nevada continues to struggle with expanding residency positions to address enduring physician workforce shortages. This important legislation will support efforts by medical schools and teaching hospitals across the state to expand graduate medical education opportunities to prepare and retain tomorrow’s doctors in Nevada.

Dr.Renee Coffman, Co-Founder and President of Roseman University, stressed the need for a clear pathway from medical school to residency:
It is critically important for a clear and immediate pathway to exist from medical school to residency in areas with physician shortages or that are otherwise underserved. Without adequate GME spots, future doctors have no practical ability to stay in communities that need them most. Roseman University thanks Senators Rosen and Boozman for the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act and for their continued efforts in supporting the growth of the health care workforce.

Nancy Bowen, CEO of the Nevada Primary Care Association, underscored the impact on community health centers:
The Nevada Primary care Association, representing the state’s Community Health Centers, is grateful to Senator Rosen for re-introducing this important legislation. Nevada has been blessed with rapid population growth throughout its modern history, but this has come at a cost of persistent and profound health provider shortages. The Physicians for Underserved Areas Act is an important step to increasing the number of providers who are trained in the state and stay to deliver health care to our residents.

Alan Morgan,CEO of the National Rural Health Association,emphasized the national importance of the bill:
The National Rural Health Association strongly supports the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act as a critical step in addressing physician shortages in rural communities. By ensuring that unused residency slots are swiftly redistributed to hospitals that need them most, this bill will help strengthen the rural health workforce and expand access to care in underserved areas. We applaud Senators Rosen and Boozman for their leadership in advancing policies that prioritize rural patients and providers, and we urge Congress to move quickly on this critically important legislation.

Addressing Counterarguments and Potential Challenges

While the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act enjoys broad support, potential challenges and counterarguments exist. One concern revolves around the funding required to support new residency programs in underserved areas. Establishing and maintaining quality residency programs requires significant financial investment, including faculty salaries, infrastructure, and resources.

Another potential challenge is ensuring the quality of training in smaller, rural hospitals. Some argue that larger, urban medical centers offer a more comprehensive and diverse training experience. Though, proponents of the bill contend that rural settings provide unique opportunities to develop essential skills, such as adaptability, resourcefulness, and a strong focus on patient-centered care.

To address these concerns, the legislation could be coupled with provisions for increased federal funding for rural GME programs and initiatives to enhance the quality of training in rural healthcare settings. This might include telemedicine programs, partnerships with larger medical centers, and efforts to attract and retain experienced faculty.

Broader Efforts to Tackle Healthcare Shortages

The Physicians for Underserved Areas Act is just one piece of a broader effort to address healthcare professional shortages in Nevada and across the nation. Senator Rosen has been actively involved in other initiatives, including:

• The REDI Act: Introduced last week, this bipartisan bill aims to alleviate the financial burden on doctors and dentists working in underserved areas by allowing them to defer student loan payments (without interest) until they complete their residency or internship.
• The train More Nurses Act: Introduced last month, this bipartisan bill seeks to address the critical nursing shortage affecting communities nationwide.
• The MOBILE Health Care Act: Signed into law in 2022,this legislation enables community health centers to utilize federal funds to establish mobile healthcare units,thereby expanding access to care in rural and underserved areas.

These combined efforts highlight a multifaceted approach to tackling the healthcare workforce crisis, encompassing student loan relief, increased training opportunities, and expanded access to care through innovative models.