U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen for Nevada addressed Nevada's doctor shortage in the Federal government's spending package by increasing the number of Medicare-supported graduate medical education residency slots around the nation. 

The package adds 1,000 new Medicare-funded graduate medical education full-time equivalent residency positions. Nevada is set to receive some of the slots but exact amounts won't be released for a while; however, because of rural needs and new medical schools in the area, Nevada is set to receive the average amount of additional slots as other states. 

The positions will begin in fiscal year 2023 and be phased in over five years. 

The following groups will have access to the residents:

  • Rural hospitals and hospitals treated as rural hospitals
  • Hospitals over their otherwise applicable resident limit
  • Hospitals in states with certain new medical schools
  • Medical schools with additional locations and branch campuses
  • Hospitals that serve Health Professional Shortage Areas

Rosen released a statement on the bill, saying the mass shortage of physicians in the state puts Nevadans at risk. "Now, more than ever, it is critical that we provide proper access to medical professionals in every corner of our state. I’m glad to see that the recently passed government funding package takes much-needed steps to increase the number of medical residency slots in our state, building on my efforts to help establish a larger workforce of medical professionals. I will continue working to support our state’s medical community and to protect the health and well-being of Nevadans," Rosen continued. 

All 17 counties in Nevada are designated as health shortage areas. Nevada is currently ranked 48 in the nation in primary care physicians per capita.