Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), and Mike Carey (R-Ohio) introduced the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act of 2024 on Jan. 19. This bipartisan legislation would make available 1,000 new Medicare-supported residency positions to hospitals that have — or are in the process of establishing — approved residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine and their prerequisite programs.
Upon introduction, AAMC Chief Public Policy Officer Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, issued a letter of support for the legislation, noting the bill’s potential for “helping alleviate the physician shortage and connecting patients with the care that they need.”
Of the 1,000 positions provided in the legislation, 500 would be set aside for hospitals with established programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine, and 500 slots would be set aside for hospitals that have established or are in the process of establishing such programs. Hospitals would not be able to receive more than 25 slots each.