Legislation Introduced to Authorize Funding for Primary Care Medical and Dental Residency Programs
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, recently introduced the Doctors of Community (DOC) Act (H.R.3671/S.1958), which would authorize substantial funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program through 2033.
Funding for the THCGME program is set to expire in FY2023, and if enacted, the bill would provide over $500 million/year for FY2024-2033 and permanent authorization of funding beyond FY2034. THCGME programs work to train and retain primary care providers, such as general dentists, in underserved areas at outpatient settings in the community, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Research suggests that providers are more likely to practice near the location of their training.
The increased funding this bill provides would be expected to add 100 new THCGME programs in teaching health centers across the country. This will result in an estimated 1,600 new resident slots, the biggest expansion since 1997.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD supports efforts to allow dental students to pursue graduate-level dental education. General dentistry residency programs are essential to improving the ability to provide increased access to dental care across the country.
Funding for the THCGME program is set to expire in FY2023, and if enacted, the bill would provide over $500 million/year for FY2024-2033 and permanent authorization of funding beyond FY2034. THCGME programs work to train and retain primary care providers, such as general dentists, in underserved areas at outpatient settings in the community, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Research suggests that providers are more likely to practice near the location of their training.
The increased funding this bill provides would be expected to add 100 new THCGME programs in teaching health centers across the country. This will result in an estimated 1,600 new resident slots, the biggest expansion since 1997.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD supports efforts to allow dental students to pursue graduate-level dental education. General dentistry residency programs are essential to improving the ability to provide increased access to dental care across the country.