WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 14, 2017) – Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) joined her colleagues in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health for a hearing to discuss federal health care workforce programs that support the next generation of health care providers. As part of this discussion, committee members talked about the future of the Teaching Health Center and Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program, which expires on September 30, 2017.

At today’s hearing, the Congresswoman spoke in support of the THCGME program and her legislation, the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2017. Her legislation would reauthorize the THCGME program and allow for the expansion of new programs within existing centers or the creation of entirely new teaching health centers. In case you missed it, you can watch her remarks here: 

McMorris Rodgers said, “It’s estimated that we could have a nationwide doctor shortage of 23,000 by 2025. The physician-to-population ratio in rural communities, like mine in Eastern Washington, is especially stark. That’s why it’s so important that we reauthorize the Teaching Health Center and Graduate Medical Education program.”

To learn more about this legislation, visit the Congresswoman’s website here:  https://mcmorris.house.gov/teachinghealthcenters/

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