Bill Overview
Title: Physician Education for Fistula Treatment Act
Description: This bill authorizes the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, to support training programs for obstetrician-gynecologists and subspecialists in urogynecology in low-income countries identified by the United Nations to be confronting severe structural impediments to sustainable development. The center must also develop a strategy to address physician shortages in such countries.
Sponsors: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Target Audience
Population: Women in low-income countries with obstetric fistulas or related reproductive health issues
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill aims to support training programs for obstetrician-gynecologists and urogynecologists.
- The focus is on low-income countries identified by the United Nations as having severe structural impediments.
- The target population includes women who are suffering from fistulas and reproductive health issues that require specialized care.
- Improvement in healthcare services due to better-trained specialists will impact the overall health of these women.
- These programs aim to reduce physician shortages, indirectly benefiting entire communities by improving medical outcomes.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets low-income countries, meaning the direct effects on U.S. citizens are minimal.
- Some U.S. healthcare professionals might participate in these training programs as trainers or administrators, potentially enriching their professional experiences.
- Indirect benefits might include a sense of global responsibility and the generalized benefit from participating in international health improvement efforts.
- No direct health impacts on U.S. individuals are anticipated due to the policy's focus on foreign healthcare systems.
- The policy is a reflection of a broader attempt to leverage U.S. healthcare expertise internationally, which some U.S. citizens might view positively or negatively.
Simulated Interviews
Obstetrician-gynecologist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a great initiative. Many of us in the medical community appreciate efforts to improve global healthcare.
- Though it doesn't affect my day-to-day work in the U.S., I might volunteer to help train doctors abroad, which can be fulfilling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Medical researcher (Boston, MA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding for global training can lead to groundbreaking research opportunities.
- The act won't change my immediate research focus, but it aligns with my values of improving mother and child health worldwide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Public health advocate (New York, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is an encouraging step towards global health equality.
- While it doesn't directly affect U.S. women, it increases awareness and could lead to more policies like this domestically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Healthcare administrator (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program potentially opens more doors for U.S. hospitals to collaborate internationally, which is beneficial for reputation and funding.
- Although workload might increase, it aligns with our mission to extend care globally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Registered nurse (Chicago, IL)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel encouraged by policies like this one. They show commitment to global health.
- It provides opportunities for people like me who want to contribute beyond our local communities, even if only indirectly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Medical student (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a future doctor, this policy is motivating because it highlights areas needing attention and opens up avenues for learning overseas.
- It's not directly impacting my education, but it provides options for future involvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Professor of global health (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these are essential for fostering a global mindset in healthcare.
- They provide examples we can use in education to illustrate effective international collaboration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Data analyst in healthcare sector (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's interesting to see how policies like these reflect changing priorities in global health.
- I don't see a direct impact on my life, but it could enrich how we understand healthcare data globally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired surgeon (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a retiree, I see the value in leaving a legacy of knowledge and training to those less fortunate.
- This doesn't directly change my life, but it reaffirms my beliefs in global health education's importance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Social worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy won't affect my clients directly, but it aligns with the values of what should be done globally.
- Understanding that our country supports such initiatives is uplifting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $5200000 (Low: $4100000, High: $6300000)
Year 3: $5400000 (Low: $4200000, High: $6600000)
Year 5: $5800000 (Low: $4500000, High: $7100000)
Year 10: $6500000 (Low: $5000000, High: $8000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Key Considerations
- The focus on low-income countries places this bill outside typical U.S.-centric economic impacts, although global goodwill and international cooperation are positive externalities.
- The training program aims to create sustainable healthcare improvements which may take several years to manifest.
- Costs are heavily influenced by the execution and management of training programs, necessitating robust oversight and accountability measures.
- Potential diplomatic and humanitarian benefits may indirectly favor U.S. foreign policy objectives.