Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Physician Workforce, Improve Rural Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) introduced the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act. This bipartisan bill aims to improve health care access for rural Washingtonians by increasing the number of physicians in their area. Specifically, this legislation would provide additional funding to encourage more residents to train in these areas. The Eighth District spans nearly 10,000 square miles, with many residents living in rural areas, often a significant distance away from the nearest physician. This is a common challenge for rural Americans and can have dire consequences.

“As a doctor, I understand the importance of accessible, dependable care. In many parts of my district, residents are forced to drive a significant distance to visit their doctor,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “That’s why I am glad to introduce this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to increase the number of health care providers in rural areas and alleviate physician shortages, which is a key step to improving health care access and overall care for my constituents.” 

"I've been a pharmacist for over 30 years in East Tennessee, serving residents who live and work in rural America, so I have a deep understanding of their needs,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger. “The healthcare needs of folks living in rural areas are just as severe as those living in urban areas, but due to a lack of physicians they often aren't met as urgently as necessary. The lack of physicians in communities like mine leaves a void in access to vital care that my legislation fills."

Congresswoman Schrier’s bill would address the rural physician workforce shortage by providing additional funding to hospitals to incentivize medical residents to train and practice in rural areas. This funding comes through Medicare and tackles some of the financial challenges that often prevent physicians from practicing in rural communities.

“The National Rural Health Association applauds Representative Harshbarger and Representative Schrier for their re-introduction of the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act,” said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Association. “This important legislation would provide the first substantiative update to rural Medicare’s Graduate Medical Education policies in over two decades and aim to address doctor shortages in rural America. NRHA looks forward to working closely with Congress to address the unique health workforce challenges affecting rural Americans.” 

“Addressing the shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in rural communities, must be a top priority for lawmakers,” said Jen Brull, MD, FAAFP, President, American Academy of Family Physicians. “That’s why the AAFP is pleased to endorse the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act, which will take concrete action to support rural residency training and improve access to care. This legislation also addresses health inequities by strengthening the physician workforce in communities that desperately need more family physicians and would provide much needed federal support to incentivize residents to train in rural areas. This bill is a critical step toward stemming our national physician workforce shortage and ensuring patients have equitable access to timely and comprehensive care from their trusted family physicians.” 

“The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) applauds Representatives Harshbarger and Schrier for re-introducing the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act,” said Brian A. Kessler, DO, FACOFP, President of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. “This bipartisan legislation addresses the geographic maldistribution of physicians in rural areas stemming from the current structure of Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME). This is critically important given that 20 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural communities, but only about 10 percent of physicians practice in those communities. This legislation is a significant step toward strengthening the rural physician workforce, especially since residents tend to practice where they train. The Rural Physician Workforce Production Act will help ensure that patients across the country — regardless of their geographic location — have access to the highest quality of care.”