Reps. Schneider, Kuster, McKinley Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Train More Doctors to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Press Release

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10), Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02), and David McKinley (WV-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to train more doctors equipped to combat the opioid epidemic.

The Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act of 2021, would create 1,000 additional residency positions over five years to hospitals with addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain management programs.

This legislation to expand graduate medical education (GME) aims to alleviate the worsening physician shortage, which is anticipated to be as high as 121,000 physicians by 2032 according to a study by the Association of American of Medical Colleges. This shortage is particularly acute in the field of addiction medicine and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. This shortfall of doctors threatens to harm our efforts to reverse the opioid epidemic.

"Turning the tide on the opioid crisis requires treating addiction like the disease that it is, and to do that, we need doctors," said Congressman Brad Schneider. "The COVID pandemic reinforced awareness that medical professionals are stretched too thin, while further exacerbating the problem for those struggling with substance abuse. Our bipartisan legislation aims to educate more physicians equipped with the latest training in addiction medicine and psychiatry to help the estimated 20 million Americans who need substance use treatment get much needed care."

"Healthcare professionals who are trained to understand and treat proper pain management can make a vital difference in the lives of those who suffer from a substance use disorder. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find doctors who specialize in this field, particularly in West Virginia and other rural areas," Congressman McKinley said. "Our bipartisan legislation would help increase the number of providers by expanding and creating new pain residencies programs, helping millions of Americans who are struggling with substance use disorders."

The Opioid Workforce Act is endorsed by the Association of American Medical Colleges, Greater New York Hospital Association, American Hospital Association, Illinois Hospital Association, and American Medical Association.

The introduced legislation is available here.

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