Medical Residency Moratorium

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWqulmvLbME 

   Here is an idea that would allow ALL qualified doctor applicants the ability to obtain a license to practice Medicine.  Currently, the medical residency shortage has prevented as many as 10,000 doctors per year from completing one of the last required steps for licensure in the US.  This idea could be accomplished at no additional cost and without the passage of a new Bill or Amendment.

   Applicants to medical residencies in the US fall into 2 major categories, US citizens or non-US citizens.  Over the last 5 years, 18,819 NON-US citizen graduates matched into a 1^st year US residency program.  At the same time, 13,982 US citizen graduates DID NOT match into a US residency (1).  Without at least one year of post-graduate training in an accredited US residency program, no doctor can obtain a US medical license.  Without a US residency, the UN-matched US citizen doctor graduates cannot even practice in their own country.  However, non-US citizen doctor graduates CAN practice in their country of origin without a US residency.

   Here is the idea.  Give first priority to US doctor applicants for US residency programs, and 2^nd priority to non-US citizens, until the residency shortage is eliminated.  All applicants would have the ability to work as citizens of their respective countries.

   How could this be accomplished without costs or legislation?  The costs of Graduate Medical Education are paid through (2):

·         Medicare

·         Medicaid

·         Veteran Affairs and Defense

·         State and local governments

·         Faculty practice plans

The only non-government source of revenue in this list is the Faculty practice plans.  Congress could place “conditions” for the receipt of federal money to residency programs by requiring 1^st priority be given to US citizen doctor applicants for US residency programs.  President Ronald Reagan used a similar strategy to strengthen drunk driving laws nationwide.  He convinced Congress to place “conditions” for the receipt of federal money for highway construction in each state.  Congress required states pass more stringent drunk driving laws in order to receive federal money.  US tax dollars fund most of these federal departments, and tax-paying US citizens should be given 1^st priority to receive the benefits they have “paid for”.

   While non-US doctors have provided valuable services to our country, these doctors also have the opportunity to practice Medicine in their own countries, while US doctors cannot.  Giving 1^st priority to US citizens during the medical residency shortage will ensure the preservation of ALL fully qualified doctors.

(1)    http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Advance-Data-Tables-2018.pdf

(2)    https://www.aamc.org/advocacy/gme/71152/gme_gme0001.html

(3)    C:\Users\lesla\OneDrive\Documents\DGME PAYMENTS and How President Reagan....pdf

www.NoMatchMDs.blogspot.com

Blog Plans Going Forward / Residency Shortage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akzwcPmQKGQ

   My goal for the past year has been to educate the public about all the nuances of the residency shortage.  The blogs covered topics on the process of medical education, how the residency shortage began, the ramifications of the shortage, the politics of the shortage, how the same applicants are being screened over repeatedly, the misconceptions about unmatched doctors, why some physicians are unaware or ambivalent about a situation affecting their own colleagues, and possible solutions to the residency shortage. 

   My goal going forward is to spend less time writing blogs, unless an important development occurs.  To avoid “insulting” subscribers with repeat blogs, I am planning to publish new posts only on Wednesdays.  I am going to recycle previously published posts on Tuesdays, as usual.  There are still millions of potential readers who have not read these blogs.  Instead, I will be spending my time contacting legislators and people of influence about the residency shortage.  Currently, Senator Chuck Schumer is promoting Senate Bill 1301, to increase the number of residency slots by 15,000 slots over a 5 year period.  This is at least the 11^th bill submitted to Congress for this purpose.  It needs momentum to get to a vote.

   Another worker has joined me in this cause.  She is currently developing a website to compile contacts who have been affected by the residency shortage.  Originally, she was going to create a private facebook group for this purpose.  However, with the goal of maintaining individual privacy of group members, and protection of private information, the decision was made to utilize the vehicle of a website.  It would require prior approval for membership.  When the website is operational, I will publish a blog with information for enrollment.  Please pass along this information to anyone you know who may benefit.

www.NoMatchMDs.blogspot.com