WASHINGTON, D.C. — Doctors are in high demand nationwide.
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Some projections show a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians over the next decade. The growing need has Congress exploring how to address the situation quickly.
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Biden Administration officials say they’re taking on the demand for more doctors with the National Health Service Corps. It’s a program that helps doctors with scholarships and loan repayment. In exchange, they practice in underserved communities.
The program is run by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Officials say these doctors often work at thousands of community centers that provide care to patients even if they can’t afford it.
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President Joe Biden’s budget proposal includes a request for more than $960 million to continue the program.
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Republicans in Washington say they’re seeing the impact of the healthcare shortage in their own districts, but some GOP leaders also want to cut federal spending.
Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris, a physician himself, says he believes states should cover the costs for such training programs.
“Some states do have, like the state of Maryland has, a separate loan repayment program from the federal government,” Harris said.
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“Our Budget priorities include training more medical residences and incentivizing practices in rural and underserved communities,” HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson added.
Federal officials say if health programs lose funding, they estimate two million patients could lose access to care in rural communities.
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