APA’s Government, Policy, and Advocacy Update

In a call to action, APA urged members to send letters to their members of Congress to support the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S 834/HR 2256). It was introduced by Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), John Katko (R-N.Y.), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.), and Rodney Davis (R-Ill.).

The legislation would increase the number of Medicare-supported graduate medical education (GME) positions by 2,000 a year for seven years, ultimately resulting in 14,000 new positions. Some of those positions would be targeted to rural hospitals or hospitals that are located in health professional shortage areas, while others would go to hospitals in states with new medical schools or hospitals that are already training over their caps.

In letters to both the House and Senate sponsors, the GME Advocacy Coalition, which represents dozens of medical associations including APA, offered enthusiastic support for the legislation. The letters noted that the need for physicians is growing faster than the supply, with an estimated shortfall of between 54,100 and 139,000 primary care and specialty physicians by 2033. “The physician workforce is a critical element of our nation’s health care infrastructure, and if we do not address this impending problem, patients from pediatrics to geriatrics and nearly everyone in-between will find it even more difficult to access the care they need,” the letter stated.

“This bipartisan legislation is crucial to expanding the physician workforce and to ensuring that patients across the country are able to access quality care from providers,” the letter continued.

APA’s call to action is posted here.

In a news release, APA and five of its partner organizations, collectively known as the Group of Six, opposed “any laws and regulations that discriminate against transgender and gender-diverse individuals or interfere in the confidential relationship between a patient and their physician.”

Several state legislatures this year have introduced or discussed bills that would prohibit physicians from providing gender-affirming care to transgender children and adolescents. Many of the proposed bills would criminalize physicians for providing such care.

“Our organizations are strongly opposed to any legislation or regulation that would interfere with the provision of evidence-based patient care for any patient, affirming our commitment to patient safety,” the news release stated. “We recognize health as a basic human right for every person, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. For gender-diverse individuals, including children and adolescents, this means access to gender-affirming care that is part of comprehensive primary care.”

APA’s 2021 Federal Advocacy Conference will take place in early June, with advocacy training on Saturday, June 5, followed by virtual meetings with lawmakers on Thursday, June 10.

During the advocacy training, participants will learn about APA’s legislative agenda as well as the basics of advocacy work, particularly virtual advocacy. APA leadership and staff will share their knowledge of the inner workings of Congress and the legislative process.

APA staff will also arrange meetings with legislators for each attendee and provide materials, including talking points, ahead of time. Registration closes on May 28. More information and registration details are posted at psychiatry.org/Advocacy. ■