[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1369] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] INTRODUCING THE GERIATRICIANS LOAN FORGIVENESS ACT OF 2005 ______ HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO of connecticut in the house of representatives Monday, June 27, 2005 Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, as our nation's 76 million baby boomers near retirement age, the number of Americans over age 65 will double to 70 million--one-fifth of the population. Americans older than 85 represent the fastest growing segment of this population and membership in this once exclusive demographic group is projected to grow from four million Americans today to an estimated 19 million by 2050. Unfortunately, our health care system is ill prepared to handle the strain of this enormous senior population, largely because we have a critical shortage of geriatric physicians. Fewer than 9,000 geriatricians practice in the United States, less than half of the current need. By 2030, the shortfall of geriatricians may reach 25,000 doctors. Approximately, 2,500 psychiatrists have received added qualifications in geriatric psychiatry; yet 4,000 to 5,000 geriatric psychiatrists are needed to provide patient care. According to estimates from the President's Commission on Mental Health, at the current rate of approximately 80 new geriatric psychiatrists graduating each year and an estimated 3 percent attrition, there will be approximately 2,640 geriatric psychiatrists by the year 2030, or one per 5,682 older adults with a psychiatric disorder. America must plan for the burdens the baby boomers demographic shift will place on our health care system and health care providers. Our first step is ensuring the country has an adequate number of well- trained physicians who specialize in geriatrics. Today, I am introducing legislation along with my colleague Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, that will encourage more doctors to become certified in geriatrics. The Geriatricians Loan Forgiveness Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to include each year of fellowship training in geriatric medicine or geriatric psychiatry as a year of obligated service under the National Health Corps Loan Repayment Program. Specifically it would forgive $35,000 of education debt incurred by medical students for each year of advanced training required to obtain a certificate of added qualifications in geriatric medicine or psychiatry. Geriatric medicine is the foundation of a comprehensive health plan for our most vulnerable seniors. Geriatrics, by focusing on assessment and care coordination, promotes preventive care and improves patients' quality of life by allowing them greater independence and eliminating unnecessary and costly trips to the hospital or institutions. A fellowship in geriatric psychiatry provides intensive training in the biological and psychological aspects of normal aging, the psychiatric impact of acute and chronic physical illness, and the biological and psycho-social aspects of the pathology of primary psychiatric disturbances of older age. Thus, these specialists are equipped to diagnose and treat these complex conditions among our frailest citizens. Mr. Speaker, this kind of specialized care is complicated and demanding. Many doctors inclined to study and practice geriatrics are dissuaded from doing so because treating the elderly takes more time and carries financial disincentives for doctors. Medical training takes time, and it is important that we take steps now to alleviate the shortages in geriatrics that are only going to get worse in the next ten years and beyond. This legislation is a commonsense approach and a cost-effective investment, and I hope it will receive the support of the House. ____________________