Costa Introduces Bill to Curb Doctor Shortage

FRESNO, Calif. – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) re-introduced H.R. 4985 – Expanding Medical Education Act, legislation that would authorize federal grants for medical school construction, expansion, and training in underserved regions that lack access to affordable, quality health care.

“The shortage of doctors in the San Joaquin Valley and rural America is a serious issue that Congress can no longer ignore. We simply don’t have enough doctors for our growing population, a problem only made worse by the pandemic,” said Congressman Jim Costa. “My legislation will help bolster the healthcare workforce and build a medical school in the Valley. Growing our own doctors is the only way of confronting this shortage and ensuring people have access to quality healthcare.”

“We appreciate the Expanding Medical Education Act would help reduce physician shortages by bolstering the pathway in rural and historically marginalized areas and exposing more future providers to these settings. Regional medical campuses (RMCs) are important settings for medical schools to expand their reach and help fulfill their unique missions.” stated the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in a letter. 

“Osteopathic medical schools understand and embrace the importance of educating students from and in underserved communities, and are united in working to foster more diversity, equity and inclusion among our nation’s future physicians. More than 60 percent of our schools are located in rural and underserved areas, and the proposed Maryland College of Osteopathic Medicine at Morgan State, which will be the nation’s first medical school at an HBCU in nearly 50 years, is expected to enroll its first class this fall. The osteopathic medical education community stands with Senator Kaine and Representative Costa in their commitment to expanding medical education opportunities in underserved areas and thanks them for their leadership on working to increase access to care for rural and diverse patient populations,” said the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. 

“In light of the recent Supreme Court decision in the companion Harvard and North Carolina cases, striking down race-based admissions programs, this legislation is extremely important to not only preserve current pathways but expand access to institutions of higher education for underserved communities, especially in the fields of research and medicine,” said 123rd President of the National Medical Association (NMA), Garfield A. D. Clunie, MD. 

“The National Hispanic Medical Association applauds Representative Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) for reintroducing the Expanding Medical Education Act. This bill is necessary to increase the number of Hispanic physicians in the U.S., create pathways to healthcare education, and expand Hispanic representation at all levels of the healthcare industry. NHMA shares the goal to increase the diversity of the health care workforce with Hispanic physicians, health professionals, scientists, and researchers to increase access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care to the Hispanic population.” said Dr. Elena Rios, President and CEO, of National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA). 

“Representative Costa has been a leading advocate for health care in the Central Valley for his entire career. We are grateful for his ongoing support for medical education here, as UC Merced and UCSF-Fresno launch our BS-to-MD pathway for Valley students who are most likely to practice here and support their communities. Growing the pathway for more future doctors will have a direct, positive impact on the health of our underserved region.” said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. 

Our healthcare system is still recovering from the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the United States will have a projected shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. Despite being the fastest-growing region in the state, the San Joaquin Valley has the lowest supply of physicians at a ratio of 39 doctors per 100,000 residents, 22% lower than the state average.

The Expanding Medical Education Act would create a grant program to help establish schools of medicine or osteopathic medicines in underserved regions and areas of high need like the San Joaquin Valley. The bill will prioritize educational institutions like UC Merced and UCSF-Fresno.

This grant program would fund the following:  

• Recruit, enroll, and retain students of disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Develop, implement, and expand academic curriculum focusing on healthcare in rural and underserved communities.

• Hire faculty from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the healthcare workforce.

• Modernize and improve the infrastructure of medical schools.  

Additional cosponsors of the bill include Representatives Troy Carter (LA-02), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Terri Sewell (AL-07), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29). Senator Tim Kaine will be leading the companion legislation in the Senate.

The bill is endorsed by the following organizations: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU), National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), National Medical Association (NMA), University of California System, California Hospital Association (CHA), Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP), Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and Ochsner Health.

A one-pager of the bill is available HERE.

The text of the bill is available HERE.