Federal support for physician residency slots at teaching health centers in rural areas would more than double under a measure advocated by U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) and authored by U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) that advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday.
Denham supported a key provision of the Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act of 2017, H.R. 3922. The provision would more than double federal support for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program to $126.5 million.
Established in 2010 to address a shortage of primary care physicians in rural areas, the THCGME program currently supports 742 physician resident slots at 59 teaching health centers around the country. Six of those teaching health centers are located in California, Denham’s home state.
“The Central Valley has a severe physician shortage, and by doubling the funding for this program, facilities around the country like the Valley Consortium for Medical Education in Modesto will be able to increase residency slots to bring in more primary and specialty care physicians so that patients can see the doctor they need at a time and location that meets their needs,” Denham said.
The provision drew support from House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Republican Conference Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers.
In July, McMorris Rodgers introduced the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2017 to reauthorize the program at or above $157,000 per student, per year. Denham cosponsored that legislation. Additionally, as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, she ensured its inclusion in H.R. 3922, the CHAMPION Act, which the committee approved during a markup.
McCarthy, meanwhile, noted Denham’s efforts to strengthen teaching health centers. “His efforts will help make the Central Valley healthier with a physician workforce better trained for the unique health issues our communities like Modesto to Bakersfield face,” McCarthy said.
“The increased funding in this program will help address continued shortages of health professionals in more rural areas of California like ours, which is why I am proud of Jeff’s leadership on behalf of all our communities in the Central Valley,” McCarthy added.
U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced H.R. 3922. In addition to the provision authored by Denham, the bill contains provisions that would extend funding for the Special Diabetes Programs, the National Health Service Corps, Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, the Youth Empowerment Program and Personal Responsibility Education.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 3922 on Wednesday by a vote of 28-23.