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Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:07 PM
Summary of Bill S 1140
The bill proposes several key measures to achieve this goal. First, it calls for the establishment of a grant program to support medical schools and teaching hospitals in training and retaining general surgeons. This program would provide funding to institutions that demonstrate a commitment to increasing the number of general surgeons in their communities.
Additionally, the bill seeks to improve access to general surgery services in underserved areas by incentivizing general surgeons to practice in these areas. This could include offering loan forgiveness or other financial incentives to encourage general surgeons to work in rural or low-income communities. Furthermore, the bill aims to increase the diversity of the general surgery workforce by supporting programs that recruit and retain underrepresented minorities in the field. By promoting diversity in the general surgery workforce, the bill seeks to ensure that all Americans have access to culturally competent and high-quality surgical care. Overall, Bill 118 s 1140, the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2023, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that addresses the critical need for more general surgeons in the United States. By supporting training programs, incentivizing practice in underserved areas, and promoting diversity in the field, the bill aims to improve access to general surgery services for all Americans.
Congressional Summary of S 1140
Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2023
This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to study access by underserved populations to general surgeons.
Specifically, HRSA must study (1) whether the health professional shortage area designation under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) program accurately assesses adequacy of access to general surgeons, (2) whether another measure would be more accurate, and (3) potential methodologies for designating general surgery shortage areas. (The NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to primary care, dental care, and mental health care providers who agree to work in areas that HRSA designates as having a shortage of those particular types of providers.)
HRSA must also publish data comparing the availability and need of general surgery services in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
On the basis of its study, HRSA may establish a methodology for designating general surgery shortage areas and make such designations. If any designations are made, HRSA must publish a list of general surgery shortage areas.
