Bill Overview
Title: Medical Student Education Authorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides statutory authority for the Medical Student Education Program, through which the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awards matching grants for expanding and supporting medical education with a particular focus on training students to serve as primary care physicians in tribal, rural, or medically underserved communities. HRSA must award the grants to public institutions of higher education located in states that rank in the top quartile of states based on projected unmet demand for primary care providers. In awarding the grants, HRSA must give priority to recipients that (1) are located in states with two or more federally recognized Indian tribes, and (2) demonstrate a public-private partnership. Recipients must use grant funds for specified activities that include developing curricula, expanding partnerships with health care providers and community-based organizations, and providing scholarships.
Sponsors: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved in or served by the Medical Student Education Program.
Estimated Size: 500000
- This bill affects medical students, specifically focusing on those interested in becoming primary care physicians.
- The legislation targets those in rapidly developing educational programs in tribal, rural, or medically underserved communities, which indicates its broad scope nationally.
- The bill will also indirectly affect the populations in rural and underserved communities by potentially increasing their access to medical care through more available primary care physicians.
- The total number of medical students in the US, especially those interested in primary care in underserved areas, is substantial but a specific number is difficult to ascertain without precise statistics on educational choices.
- Medical education programs that will receive funds are primarily located in public higher education institutions in states with high unmet needs for primary care providers.
Reasoning
- The policy will have a significant impact on medical students in public universities, especially those in states with high unmet needs for primary care providers.
- The effect will also extend to underserved communities who may benefit from an increase in the number of primary care providers.
- Students in programs that receive funding are likely to see improved educational resources and opportunities through enhanced curricula and potential scholarships.
- Not all medical students will be affected, especially those not intending to serve in rural or underserved areas, and those in states not in top quartile of unmet needs.
- Past trends suggest a mixed impact on wellbeing scores; future professionals feel secure, but stress and workload from additional training could moderate these effects.
Simulated Interviews
Medical Student (Arizona)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the policy because it seems to offer more support for students like me planning to work in underserved areas.
- Additional funding might mean scholarships or better resources, which would be a big help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Primary Care Physician (New Mexico)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems beneficial for increasing the workforce in areas like ours, which is great.
- However, training alone isn't enough, we also need systems that retain doctors in these communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Medical Student (Texas)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think the policy will impact me directly as I plan to specialize beyond primary care.
- It's good for those planning to serve in underserved areas, though.
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 |
Healthcare Administrator (South Dakota)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could greatly aid in bringing more doctors to areas where they're desperately needed.
- We still need to address retention, but it's a positive step.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Medical Student (California)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My program may not be directly affected since we focus on urban areas, but such policies can shift resources.
- Hopefully, some aspects like curriculum enhancements could benefit us too.
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 Worker (Montana)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increasing the number of primary care providers should help improve community health.
- We hope services improve and remain consistent as a result.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Medical Student (North Dakota)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful about this program's potential to support students like myself.
- Costs and resources are tough, and anything helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Nurse Practitioner (Alabama)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could indirectly benefit my work by supplying more doctors to our clinic.
- Proper execution and commitment will be crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Small Town Mayor (Idaho)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We desperately need incentives for medical professionals to serve and stay in our towns.
- This policy could be a helpful step forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Medical Student (Oklahoma)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns perfectly with my goals and could even provide more support in terms of resources and training.
- I feel encouraged about my future role in primary care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 3: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 5: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The program targets the shortage of primary care providers in underserved areas, which is a critical healthcare need.
- Financial components include significant commitments in federal grants to public higher education institutions.
- Long-term effects on healthcare cost savings and tax revenues are plausible but not guaranteed and challenging to quantify directly.
- The collaboration between public institutions and private partners could leverage additional resources, increasing program benefits.