Rosen introduces bills aimed at reducing shortage of doctors, dentists in rural areas
A package of bipartisan bills introduced Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-nev., would incentivize young doctors and graduating medical students to practice in rural areas in exchange for assistance in repaying student loans.
The three-bill package is aimed at addressing a shortage of doctors and dentists across the nation. In 2021, Nevada ranked 48th nationally in primary care physicians per 100,000 residents, according to Rosen’s office.
The Physicians for Underserved Areas Act, co-sponsored by Sen. John Boozman, R-ark., would revise medical residency programs in areas with physician shortages to give them a greater chance at gaining an available residency slot when a hospital closes elsewhere across the country.
Boozman and Rosen also co-sponsored the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act to pause student loan interest accrual and principal loan payments for medical and dental students serving a residency or internship.
The third bill, the Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker, R-miss., would create a new student loan repayment program for specialist physicians and nonphysician specialty providers who practice in rural areas.
“Nevada is facing a dire shortage of medical providers, making it difficult for too many Nevadans to access quality health care services,” Rosen said in a statement. “With all 17 of our counties experiencing a physician shortage, Congress must take swift action to address this critical issue.”
Rosen introduced a similar package of bills last year that also garnered some bipartisan support. Those bills, however, never advanced to the Senate floor for a vote.
Mason Van Houweling, CEO of University Medical Center in Las Vegas, applauded the package and said its passage would immediately make an impact throughout the state.
“As University Medical Center continues to expand and introduce groundbreaking new services that require expertly trained medical professionals, we fully support Sen. Rosen’s proposed legislation to address the nationwide shortage of health care providers,” Van Houweling said.
“UMC has grown to become Nevada’s premier academic medical center, and these bills will support our mission to train the next generation of health care providers for our community.”
Dr. Paul Hauptman, dean of the UNR School of Medicine, also praised the bills.
“The (UNR) School of Medicine supports finding creative ways to encourage and incentivize medical students and residents to practice where they are needed most,” Hauptman said in a statement.
“While the current shortage is particularly problematic for our rural communities, metropolitan areas are also seeing limits to access,” he added. “A pause on student loan interest accrual, additional loan repayment opportunities in exchange for service, and reprioritization of available residency slots provide a much needed and comprehensive approach.”
On Monday, Rosen also helped introduce the STEM Restoring Employment Skills through Targeted Assistance, Re-entry, and Training Act, or RESTART Act. It’s meant to support mid-career internships for workers who want to return or transition to an occupation relating to science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
The act has been endorsed by the Vegas Chamber, Henderson Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada System of Higher Education, UNLV, Nevada State College and College of Southern Nevada.