The ACR advocacy team remains committed to supporting policies that promote the growth and sustainability of the rheumatology workforce. To this end, we are pleased to see three bills centering on pro-workforce policies reintroduced in the 119th Congress.
Easing the Burden of Education Debt
The bipartisan Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act addresses the realities of student loans, a major barrier to accessing medical education and a financial weight on early-career physicians. If enacted, the REDI Act would allow for borrowers in medical or dental school to qualify for interest-free deferment of student loan payments while in a residency, fellowship or internship program.
Because many medical school graduates undertake several years of residency to advance their careers, they may be unable to repay their student debt immediately, often due to low-paying positions. Although loan payments may be halted through deferment at this time, these loans continue to accrue interest. By allowing for interest-free deferment, the REDI Act recognizes the unique financial circumstances affecting those who are pursuing a medical career.
The ACR has joined stakeholders across the medical and dental community to endorse the REDI Act upon reintroduction. You can take action to urge your lawmakers to grow the medical workforce pipeline by easing the burden of student debt.
Increasing Access for Visa Holders
The Conrad-30 waiver program allows international physicians who are educated and trained in the U.S. to continue to serve in our medical workforce. Currently, J-1 visa-holding resident physicians training in the U.S. are required to return to their home country for two years after their residency has ended before they can apply for a work visa or green card to work in the U.S. The Conrad-30 waiver program allows these physicians to remain in the U.S. to practice in a medically underserved area for three years.
Over the last 30 years, the Conrad-30 program has facilitated placement of approximately 20,000 physicians in rural and underserved communities, with demonstrated success at retaining physicians in these communities beyond their three-year commitment. The bipartisan Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act would further improve the program, including gradually increasing the number of waivers each state can receive and streamlining the waiver process for both physicians and employers.
Supporting the Current Medical Workforce
First enacted in 2022, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act is the first and only law dedicated to preventing occupational burnout among healthcare professionals. Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Lorna Breen, the legislation has supported more than 250,000 healthcare workers across the country through 45 evidence-informed initiatives to strengthen healthcare workers’ mental health.
The law was a critical first step in acknowledging and addressing stigma that often prevents healthcare professionals from seeking mental health services. Now, the bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act will ensure that hospitals, health systems and other healthcare organizations can continue to expand and build upon the success of previous programs. Reauthorization will also foster continued innovation of these programs, such as expanding the scope to address systemic factors that contribute to administrative burden and occupational burnout.
The ACR joins over 60 stakeholders across the medical community calling for reauthorization and refunding of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act.
The ACR will continue to support these and other pro-rheumatology policies as they are introduced in Congress. Join the ACR as an advocate by contacting your lawmakers today.
