A doctor shortage is projected to hit 86,000 by 2036. According to the Rural Medical Training Collaborative, 133 rural residencies in family medicine and 69 rural-track programs are recruiting for 2025 enrollment, along with 30 internal-medicine residencies and 16 psychiatry residencies. Several pieces of legislation have also been introduced to Congress to address the doctor shortage. For example, HR 7855, the Association of American Medical Colleges-endorsed Rural Residency Planning and Development Act of 2024, would codify the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program, which funds the startup costs of residency training in rural areas, Dill said. From 2019 to 2024, the program has enabled the launch of 46 accredited rural residency programs across 38 states and Puerto Rico.

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Persons: —, Mellisa, Case, Michael Dill, Bruce Scott, Scott, they're, Dill, Molly Fox, Fox, Catherine, Chase Hearn, he'd, I've, Hearn, Hollie Davis Frick, Davis Frick Organizations: Healthcare, Service, Association of American Medical Colleges, American Medical Association, Medicare, Kansas Health Science University, KHSU's Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Catherine Hospital, OB, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Rural, Development, Patel, Group, Conrad State Locations: Prineville , Oregon, Portland, Bend, Louisville , Kentucky, Garden City, Wichita, Oregon, Crook, Puerto Rico, Conrad