The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) and the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), responded to a request for information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) regarding healthcare workforce shortages.
ACR and RBMA highlighted workforce challenges in radiology, including a recent report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) that projects the United States could see an estimated shortage between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034. AAMC estimates shortages in “other specialties,” including radiology, to range from 10,300 to 35,600 physicians. Other workforce challenges such as physician burnout and an aging physician workforce were also emphasized as contributing factors to shortages.
The associations recommended that Congress pass legislation to invest in additional Medicare-funded Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency slots. They specifically requested Congress fund GME slots designated for radiology, as well as reintroduce the Physician Shortage Reduction Act. This legislation would expand the number of federally supported medical residency positions by 2,000 annually for seven years, directly addressing the growing physician shortage.
ACR will continue to work with Congress to explore legislative solutions to ensure patients have access to quality medical care.
For additional information, contact Ashley Walton, ACR Director of Government Affairs.