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It is a classic case of bureaucracy where the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.  In 1997 the Federal Government’s “Balanced Budget Act” put a freeze on Medicare reimbursement for medical residency training slots.  Yet, with a projected doctor shortage of up to 90,000 physicians in the next decade, the number of medical schools was INCREASED.  What a surprise!  The number of medical schools increased at the same time as the number of required post-graduate training slots was REDUCED!  This catastrophe has left more than 40,000 graduate doctors, over the last 5 years alone, with no where to go!!

 

These unmatched graduate doctors fall into a “limbo” where they cannot complete their training.  They cannot obtain a medical license without a residency.  They can’t even work as Physician Assistants!  Their school loans are due, an average of $180,000, with no viable means of employment.  They are in a real “Catch 22”.

 

And we, the American public, are in for a real surprise as we age with the impending doctor shortage!

 

This blog is designed to educate the public about this travesty.  It is a call to action to those who can help rectify this ongoing catastrophe.  The voices who can help include:  State and US Legislators, State and National Medical Societies, US and Foreign medical school deans, Residency Directors, Medical students, Physicians, Public Health Departments, and finally the MEDIA.