Graduate Medical Education
Residents are at the cutting edge of innovative health care delivery, and they play a crucial role in providing care for seniors, veterans, and patients in underserved communities. Funding for graduate medical education (GME) helps ensure that enough physicians are trained to meet the care our communities need, when they need it.
The Problem
Despite the clear value of training physicians for our communities, federal policy has capped the number of federally funded residency training positions at levels set in 1996. The U.S. is now projected to face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, driven by an aging population, physician retirements, and burnout. We need more physicians.
The Path Forward
Increasing medical school enrollment is not enough. Without expansion of GME, many graduates may lack residency opportunities and patients may face longer waits, fewer specialists, and less access.
We believe we must invest in GME now to grow and sustain the physician workforce. The AMA supports legislative efforts such as the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 (H.R. 4731/S. 2439) to add 14,000 new Medicare-supported residency positions over seven years targeted to hospitals serving rural, underserved, and high-need areas.
Get Involved
We must protect the future of the medical profession.
- Expanding GME means more residency opportunities for future physicians and greater capacity to serve patients.
- More trained physicians helps reduce wait times, improve access to specialty care, and strengthen health systems.
- Where you choose to train and practice can shape community health outcomes, especially in rural and underserved regions.