Reid pushes legislation to lift number of doctors in geriatrics

WASHINGTON -- Citing a need for more doctors of geriatric medicine, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., urged his Senate colleagues Wednesday to pass two bills that he said will increase their numbers.

Reid cited statistics that show there are only 8,000 physicians who exclusively treat elderly patients nationwide, adding that there is a need for 16,000 more. He also said by 2030, there will be a need for another 12,000 more geriatricians.

"Unfortunately, our health care delivery system is woefully unprepared to meet the challenges of our aging population," Reid said at a forum Wednesday hosted by the Senate Aging Committee. "Many call this growing, graying population a sleeping giant. We must act today to be prepared when this giant awakes."

The Medicare Physician Workforce Improvement Act of 1997 provides incentives for residents to study geriatric medicine and psychiatry and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to set up training consortium demonstration projects.

The Geriatricians Loan Forgiveness Act specifies that each year of fellowship training in geriatric medicine or psychiatry required to obtain a certificate of added qualification shall be deemed a year of obligated service under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. This bill would allow up to 400 doctors a year to be eligible for repayment of educational loans of up to $20,000.

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