Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023

Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023

This bill allows certain hospitals to receive additional payment under Medicare for full-time equivalent residents who receive training in rural areas.

Specifically, hospitals, critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals may elect to receive payment for time spent by a resident in a rural training location if the resident trains for at least eight weeks in the location and the hospital pays the salary and benefits of the resident during this time. Additionally, hospitals may receive payment for all time spent by residents in a residency program in which 50% of all training is in rural locations, regardless of where the training occurs or specialty.

Payments are based on the difference between the total amount of eligible payments (as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and the amount of graduate medical education payments received (if applicable).

Bill 118 HR 834, also known as the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023, aims to address the shortage of physicians in rural areas of the United States. The bill proposes several measures to increase the number of physicians practicing in rural communities.

One key provision of the bill is the establishment of a scholarship program for medical students who commit to practicing in rural areas upon completion of their training. This program would provide financial assistance to students in exchange for a commitment to work in underserved rural areas for a specified period of time.

Additionally, the bill seeks to expand residency programs in rural areas by providing funding to hospitals and medical centers that offer training opportunities for medical residents. By increasing the availability of residency programs in rural communities, the bill aims to encourage more physicians to practice in these underserved areas. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to improve telehealth services in rural areas, making it easier for patients in remote locations to access medical care. This would help to bridge the gap in healthcare access between rural and urban areas. Overall, the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to address the shortage of physicians in rural communities through a combination of financial incentives, residency program expansion, and telehealth improvements. If passed, this bill has the potential to improve healthcare access and outcomes for residents of rural America.