Senator Rosen Supports Another Bill to Expand Rural Healthcare

Rural communities across the country face severe physician shortages, making it harder for residents to access quality health care. To address this issue, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act, which would ensure that when hospitals close, residency slots are redistributed to areas in need.

Nevada, ranked 45th in the nation for physician availability, is one of many states struggling with a lack of medical professionals. Studies show that doctors are more likely to stay in communities where they complete their training, making residency expansion in Nevada crucial for strengthening local health care workforces.

Medical and public health leaders support the bill, emphasizing its potential to improve access to care.

“Nevada continues to struggle with expanding residency positions to address enduring physician workforce shortages,” said Dr. John Packham, Associate Dean of the University of Nevada, Reno’s School of Medicine. “This important legislation will support efforts by medical schools and teaching hospitals across the state to expand graduate medical education opportunities to prepare and retain tomorrow’s doctors in Nevada.”

The Nevada Primary Care Association and the National Rural Health Association applaud the effort, highlighting the urgent need for more doctors in underserved areas.

Marc J. Kahn, Dean of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said he too supports the bipartisan effort. “The Physicians for Underserved Areas Act is a crucial step toward ensuring that residency slots are redistributed in a way that prioritizes communities with the greatest need. By streamlining the process and expediting the timeline for GME slot reallocation, this legislation will help fill gaps in healthcare access and strengthen our medical workforce." 

This bill is part of a broader effort to expand health care access. Senator Rosen has also introduced legislation to support medical students and increase training opportunities for nurses. The MOBILE Health Care Act, signed into law in 2022, is already helping to bring mobile health units to rural communities.

Bipartisan solutions like this are essential to ensuring that rural Americans receive the care they deserve. We encourage community members and policymakers to support this initiative and advocate for stronger health care systems in underserved areas.