1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to address the critical shortage of primary care physicians in our country. This crisis, rooted in a 1997 policy decision that capped Medicare-funded residency positions, is severely impacting healthcare access for millions of Americans. With a projected shortage of 140,000 doctors by 2036, we cannot afford to wait. The cap on residency positions has remained stagnant for over two decades, despite significant population growth. This shortsighted policy is creating a bottleneck in our medical education system, preventing us from training the number of doctors we desperately need. As a result, wait times for both primary care and specialist appointments are skyrocketing, leaving many without timely access to essential healthcare services. The consequences of this shortage are far-reaching. We're seeing a rise in 'concierge' medicine, where doctors charge annual fees for enhanced access, creating a two-tier healthcare system that exacerbates existing inequalities. Moreover, many doctors are avoiding or leaving primary care due to low pay compared to specialists, high student debt, and overwhelming administrative burdens. I strongly urge you to support legislation that will lift the residency cap and significantly increase the number of Medicare-funded residency positions. This action is crucial to ensure we can train enough doctors to meet our growing healthcare needs. Additionally, I ask that you advocate for reforms to primary care compensation and measures to reduce administrative burdens on physicians. The primary care physician shortage is a direct result of policy choices, and it demands an immediate policy solution. By increasing residency positions, we can take a significant step towards ensuring all Americans have access to quality, timely healthcare. The health of our nation depends on your swift action. Please make this a priority in the current legislative session.