For years, the threat of a physician shortage has lingered on the horizon, often viewed as a distant problem. However, recent reports confirm that this is no longer a distant threat – it is an immediate and growing crisis. A March 2024 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projected a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. While this figure alone is alarming, more recent findings from an August 2024 Mercer report suggest that the problem is much closer at hand. In just four years, nineteen states, including Texas, New York, and California, are expected to experience critical shortages by 2028, making immediate action essential. 

This shortage is not just a future issue – it is already disrupting healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The lack of physicians in these areas directly impacts patient access to care, leading to longer wait times and, in some cases, a lower quality of care. As the problem worsens, the ripple effects will intensify, creating even more strain on healthcare providers and threatening the well-being of patients nationwide. Addressing this issue is not a choice – it is an urgent necessity.  

To tackle this growing crisis, legislative action is critical. One key step is stabilizing Medicare physician payments, which have been decreasing annually due to payment cuts. The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (HR 2474) offers a solution by ensuring physicians receive annual payment updates to account for inflation. Additional solutions include expanding medical residency programs and reducing administrative burdens on physicians, which would alleviate some of the pressures currently driving physicians out of practice.