We hear a great deal about the physician shortage in the U.S. The aging boomer population is creating an increased demand for care, while simultaneously, the same demographic of physicians is retiring from practicing medicine. The data is indisputable: The nation is facing a serious shortage of doctors.

What isn’t as obvious is how to overcome the barriers to effectively train and license new providers. Legislators in some states are moving to issue provisional medical licenses that would allow medical graduates to work under the supervision of experienced physicians, in lieu of residencies. Opponents argue that this approach will reduce the quality of healthcare.

The Association of American Medical Colleges is following this issue closely. Besides conducting periodic studies to better understand the impact, AAMC and its member teaching hospitals are working on solutions – both policy-related and otherwise.

Once such legislative reform proposes to lift the cap on federally funded residency training positions. Bi-partisan GME legislation introduced this summer in both the House and Senate would provide 15,000 Medicare-supported GME residency positions over a five-year period.

Read more about this and other ongoing efforts to increase access to high-quality healthcare.

This issue matters to us at TinkBird, because it’s important to the providers we represent and the medical practices and hospitals we serve. We’re continuously pursuing innovative ways to recruit and place highly qualified physicians and other practitioners. We’re doing our part to help maintain high standards in the industry for the health and well-being of generations to come.