Three congressmen have sent a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure urging action to address the physician shortage nationwide.
The letter was signed by representatives Greg Murphy, MD, R-N.C.; Doctors Caucus Co-Chair Brad Wenstrup, DPM, R-Ohio; and Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas; according to an Oct. 25 news release.
In addition to seeking action on the physician shortage, the letter asks for information on CMS’ allocation methodology for graduate medical education slots.
"Federal investment in health care access for rural communities has paid dividends in improving health outcomes across the country," Dr. Murphy said in the letter. "We must ensure GME slots are assigned fairly and transparently to best support our physician workforce and their patients. Nearly one-in-five Americans live in rural areas and are seeing access to care dry up. It is critical we leverage federal resources to reverse this troubling trend."