Physicians for Underserved Areas Act
Physicians for Underserved Areas Act
Plain Language Summary
# Physicians for Underserved Areas Act (HR 870) - Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill changes how medical residency positions are redistributed when a hospital closes. Currently, when a hospital with a residency training program shuts down, Medicare redistributes those doctor-training positions to other hospitals following a specific geographic priority: first to hospitals in the same local area, then the same state, then the same region, and finally anywhere else. This bill removes the "same region" requirement, allowing residency positions to be redistributed more flexibly across the country to hospitals that can actually use them. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects hospitals, medical schools, and doctors-in-training.
It could help rural or underserved areas that struggle to recruit medical residents by making it easier for their hospitals to receive redistributed positions. Ultimately, it aims to ensure there are enough trained physicians in areas that need them most, rather than keeping positions concentrated in the same geographic region as a closed hospital. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Representative Susie Lee (D-Nevada) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Physicians for Underserved Areas Act This bill modifies how a hospital's residency positions are redistributed after it closes for purposes of graduate medical education payments under Medicare. Under current law, if a hospital with an approved medical residency program closes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must redistribute the hospital's residency positions to other hospitals in the following order: (1) hospitals in the same core-based statistical area as the closed hospital, (2) hospitals in the same state as the closed hospital, (3) hospitals in the same region of the country as the closed hospital, and (4) other remaining hospitals. In order to receive the additional positions, hospitals must demonstrate a likelihood of filling the positions within three years. The bill removes the requirement that the CMS prioritize hospitals in the same region of the country as the closed hospital. It also requires hospitals to demonstrate a likelihood of (1) starting to use the positions within two years, and (2) filling the positions within five years.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.