[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PRIMARY CARE VOLUNTEER INCENTIVE ACT

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                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, America is facing a troubling 
physician shortage. It is estimated that the U.S. could be short 
200,000 physicians by next year, while the number of patients is 
expected to increase by 24 percent. Furthermore, most medical school 
students incur more than $100,000 in student debt and primary care 
doctors are becoming scarce. New physicians are entering more lucrative 
specialties that better assist in their student debt payoff.
  To join efforts that are underway across the country to address 
health care workforce shortages, today I will introduce the Primary 
Care Volunteer Incentive Act. This legislation will create a volunteer 
program for primary care physicians that will allow them to receive 
medical school loan repayment for their dedication to a community 
health center with high needs.
  The Primary Care Volunteer Incentive Act will implement a program for 
doctors who specialize in family medicine, general pediatrics and 
general internal medicine. This program will request a five year 
volunteer commitment that will help doctors to develop a strong and 
longstanding relationship with their patients and communities. The 
program will build on the current National Health Service Corps program 
by allowing doctors to volunteer only part-time at a community health 
center in an area with a large primary care physician shortage.
  This legislation is a vital step in closing the gaps that exist for 
medically disenfranchised Americans. Fifty-two percent of uninsured 
Americans do not have a primary care provider and at least two in five 
residents in Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, 
Oregon, South Carolina and Utah have inadequate access to routine 
health services. We know that lack of access to a primary care provider 
means that patients are not receiving preventive care, which helps 
people to lead healthier lives and keeps them out of emergency rooms 
for preventable and manageable conditions.
  Too many of our neighbors are without basic care. Ensuring access and 
affordable health care should be our top priority. I have seen first 
hand the positive impact that access to community health care has given 
my district in the Tampa Bay area, and today my bill will help to see 
that communities will not continue to suffer losses in primary care 
providers that cannot be afforded.

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