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).

The Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 s 230, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address the shortage of physicians in rural areas across the country.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a grant program to incentivize medical students to pursue careers in rural medicine. These grants would cover tuition and other expenses for students who commit to practicing in rural areas for a certain number of years after completing their medical training.

Additionally, the bill aims to increase funding for rural medical residency programs, which are essential for training new physicians in the specific needs and challenges of rural healthcare. By expanding these programs, the hope is to attract more medical professionals to rural areas and improve access to healthcare for residents in these underserved communities. Overall, the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023 seeks to address the critical shortage of physicians in rural areas by providing financial incentives and support for medical students and professionals who choose to practice in these communities. If passed, this legislation could have a significant impact on improving healthcare access and outcomes for rural residents across the country.