Background
As our country’s population ages, its health care needs increase, and the demand for acute, chronic, and long-term care escalates, the need for internal medicine physicians trained in primary and comprehensive care of adult and adolescent patients, as well as internal medicine subspecialists, will continue to rise. Internal medicine physicians are uniquely qualified to lead team-based care models.
Where We Stand
The American College of Physicians supports the adoption of a national workforce policy that would help to ensure that the number and mix of physician specialties meets the health care needs of our population, including internal medicine specialists in primary and comprehensive care of adults and adolescents. We also support adequate payments for primary care services, lifting caps on Graduate Medical Education for specialties facing shortages, delivery system reforms, to encourage an increase in the supply of internal medicine physicians and other primary care physicians.
ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT
In this policy paper, ACP makes recommendations about how to improve transitioning patients from one health care setting to another.
- PolicyBeyond the Discharge: Principles of Effective Care Transitions Between Settings 4/26/2023
- PolicyBeyond the Referral: Principles of Effective, Ongoing Primary and Specialty Care Collaboration 2022 4/29/2022
- PolicyPosition Statement on Immunization of Health Care Workers 9/14/2021
- PolicyAchieving Gender Equity in Physician Compensation and Career Advancement 2018
- PolicyPrinciples Supporting Dynamic Clinical Care Teams 2013
- PolicyAligning GME Policy with the Nation's Health Care Workforce Needs, ACP Policy Paper 9/7/2011
Latest Advocacy Efforts
- LetterACP and ACP DC Letter regarding B25-0545, the Health Occupations Revision General Amendment Act 12/6/2023
- CommentsACP Statement in Response to the House Ways and Means Committee's RFI Regarding Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas 10/5/2023
- LetterJoint Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding the Physician Workforce 9/6/2023
- LetterACP Letter to NASEM Regarding Committee on Primary Care 8/15/2023
- LetterJoint Letter to House in Support of the Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Program 8/1/2023
- LetterJoint Letter to Senators in Support of the Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Program 8/1/2023
Search the ACP Policy Library
To access everything ACP has said related to workforce and team based care issues search all policy statements, copies of testimony, and letters to government and non-government officials.
Physician Workforce and Team Based Care
Additional Advocacy Efforts
- ACP Support Letter for the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, H.R. 1202/S.704, to Defer Student Loans Interest Free for Medical Residents 5/8/2023
- Joint Support Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 in the 118th Congress 5/8/2023
- ACP Makes Recommendations to Improve Transitions Between Health Care Settings 4/26/2023
- CSS Sign-on Letter on FTC Non-Compete Clause Rule 4/5/2023
- ACP Comments on FTC Non-Compete Clause Rule 3/1/2023
- ACP Statement for the Record to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for the hearing “Examining Health Care Workforce Shortages: Where Do We Go From Here?” 2/16/2022
- ACP Letter to Congressional Appropriators Supporting Year-End Funding Priorities For Fiscal Year 2023 12/7/2022
- Joint Opposition Letter to Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act 12/5/2022
- ACP Response to AHRQ RFI re: Person-Centered Care Planning for Multiple Chronic Conditions 11/15/2022
- ACP Comment Letter on Senate Finance Committee Mental Health Workforce Draft Legislation 11/14/2022
- ACP Letter Expressing Concern that the “I CAN Act,” H.R. 8812, Goes Too Far in Expanding Scope of Practice For Non-Physician Clinicians 11/1/2022
- ACP Support Letter for the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, S. 4182 9/6/2022
- Coalition Letter in support of S.1810/ H.R. 3541, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act 7/29/2022
- Internal Medicine Physicians Concerned About Relaxed Approach to Paxlovid Prescribing 7/8/2022
- ACP Letter to the National Academy of Medicine Commenting on their National Plan for Health Workforce Well-being 5/27/2022
- ACP Written Testimony for the Record to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies for FY2023 5/18/2022
- Joint Letter to Congressional Leadership Supporting Funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program 5/16/2022
- Joint Letter Urging Senators to Support S.4132, Women’s Health Protection Act 5/10/2022
- ACP Written Testimony for the Record to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies for FY2023 5/9/2022
- Joint Letter Urging Senate Leaders to Reject Section 510 in the FY23 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill 5/4/2022
- Joint Letter Urging House Leaders to Reject Section 510 in the FY23 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill 5/4/2022
- Joint Letter Supporting Adequate FY2023 Funding for Title VII Health Professions Programs 4/26/2022
- Joint Letter Supporting Adequate Fiscal Year 2023 Funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 4/6/2022
- Joint Clinician Coalition Thank You Letter for the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, S. 3658, to Defer Student-Loan Interest for Medical Residents 2/25/2022
- ACP Statement to the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Regarding “Is There a Doctor in the House? The Role of Immigrant Physicians in the U.S. Healthcare System” 2/15/2022
- ACP Statement for the Record to the Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety of the Senate HELP Committee for the Hearing “Recruiting, Revitalizing & Diversifying: Examining the Health Care Workforce Shortage” 2/10/2022
- ACP Statement for the Record to the United States House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Hearing on "Bridging Health Equity Gaps for People with Disabilities and Chronic Conditions” 2/4/2022
- ACP Letter to the Department of Education Regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 1/27/2022
- Joint Letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regarding the VA Supremacy Project 12/16/2021
- ACP Comment Letter to Senate Leadership and Committees in Support of Key Provisions in the House-Passed Build Back Better Act 11/23/2021
- ACP Comment Letter to Congressional Leadership and Committees in Support of Key Provisions in the Build Back Better Act 11/3/2021
- Joint Letter to House and Senate Armed Services Committees Opposing Cuts to Military Health Service Positions 10/6/2021
- Joint Letter to Congress in Support of Including the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021 in Budget Legislation 9/1/2021
- ACP Letter to the Senate Finance Committee with Recommendations for FY2022 Budget Reconciliation 9/1/2021
- ACP Letter to the Ways and Means Committee with Recommendations for FY2022 Budget Reconciliation 9/1/2021
- ACP Letter to the Energy and Commerce Committee with Recommendations for FY2022 Reconciliation 9/1/2021
- Joint Letter Expressing Concerns with the Department of Veterans Affairs Supremacy Project and National Standards of Practice 7/29/2021
- Joint Comment Letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS) Proposal to Distribute New Graduate Medical Education (GME) Slots 6/28/2021
- Joint Letter to the Biden Administration and Congressional Leadership in Support of Increasing Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education (GME) Positions in Any Upcoming Jobs and Infrastructure Legislative Package 5/20/2021
- ACP Statement for the Record to the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for the hearing “A Dire Shortage and Getting Worse: Solving the Crisis in the Health Care Workforce” 5/20/2021
- ACP Written Testimony for the Record to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies for FY2022 5/19/2021
- ACP Statement for the Record to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for the hearing “Examining Our COVID-19 Response: Using Lessons Learned to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders” 4/28/2021
- ACP Letter of Support for S. 1024, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act 4/17/2021
- Joint Support Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021 in the 117th Congress 3/24/2021
- Joint Support Letter to the U.S. Senate for the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021, S. 834, in the 117th Congress 3/24/2021
- ACP Support Letter for the American Dream and Promise Act, H.R. 6, Which Would Provide the “Dreamers” A Pathway to Citizenship 3/16/2021
- ACP Letter to the House Supporting Passage of Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act of 2021 3/15/2021
- ACP Letter to the Senate Supporting Passage of Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act of 2021 3/15/2021
- Joint Letter from America’s Frontline Physicians to Biden Administration on Priorities to Improve Health and Health Care 2/17/2021
- Internists Say Biden Administration Actions an Important Step Toward Protecting International Medical Graduates and All Immigrants 2/3/2021
- Internists Say Initial Steps of Biden Administration Will Improve Health in the U.S. 1/21/2021
- Sign-On Letter Opposing Department of Veterans Affairs Interim Final Rule Regarding Scope of Practice 1/7/2021
- ACP Letter to President-Elect Biden Regarding Policy Recommendations for the New Administration 12/10/2020
- Joint Letter to President-Elect Biden Urging the Appointment of Physicians in National Health Leadership Roles 12/3/2020
- Joint Letter from Frontline Physicians on DOL Interim Final Rule on Minimum Required Salaries Impacting Physicians on H-1b Visas 12/2/2020
- Joint Letter from Frontline Physicians on Proposed Rule Impacting Duration of Status for J-1 Physicians 10/26/2020
- ACP Comments on Proposed Rule Impacting Duration of Status for J-1 Physicians 10/16/2020
- Joint Letter Opposing HR 884, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act 9/22/2020
- Joint Letter to House and Senate Armed Services Committee Opposing Cuts to Military Health Service Positions 8/14/2020
- Joint Letter from Frontline Physician Groups Supporting the Uniformed Health Services University of the Health Sciences 8/3/2020
- Joint Letter to Congressional Leadership to Include the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act in the Next COVID-19 Legislative Relief Package 7/9/2020
- Sign-On Letter Requesting Clarifying Language Allowing H-1B Physicians and Dependent Family Members Entry in to the US 7/8/2020
- Joint Statement Opposing June 22 Executive Order Suspending Immigration 07/02/2020
- Sign-On Letter Regarding the Health Care Professional Practice in VA Memorandum 6/24/2020
- ACP Letter of Support for the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act 5/20/202
- ACP Letter of Support for the Bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act 5/12/2020
- ACP Letter to USCIS on Visa Processing for IMGs 4/16/2020
- Letter to Department of State and USCIS on Visa Processing for International Medical Graduates During COVID-19 Pandemic 3/26/2020
- Joint Letter Regarding Funding for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for FY 2021 2/26/2020
- ACP Letter to Finance Committee about Graduate Medical Education Programs 2/14/2020
- ACP Letter to Education and Labor Committee Regarding College Affordability Act 2/11/2020
- ACP Letter to House of Representatives regarding What You Can Do For Your Country Act 2/11/2020
- ACP Letter to Senate regarding What You Can Do For Your Country Act 2/11/2020
- Joint Health Professions Letter of Support for the DREAM Act 7/15/2019
- Joint Letter of Support for the Opioid Workforce Act of 2019, H.R. 3414 6/26/2019
- Written Testimony to the House Small Business Committee on Medical Student Loan Debt 6/12/2019
- Joint Letter of Support for the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019, S. 348, H.R. 1763 4/10/2019
- Letter to USCIS on Impact of Green Card Backlog on IMGs 4/1/2019
- Joint Clinician Coalition Support Letter for the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, H.R. 1554, to Defer Student-Loan Interest for Medical Residents 3/19/2019
- Joint Letter Supporting Adequate Fiscal Year 2020 Funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 3/15/2019
- ACP Response to the Senate HELP Committee on Lowering Health Care Costs 3/1/2019
- Joint Brochure Supporting Adequate Fiscal Year 2020 Funding for Title VII Health Professions Programs 3/1/2019
- ACP Statement to the Senate HELP Committee in Support of Funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) 1/29/2019
- ACP Comments on MedPAC Recommendation to End Incident to Billing 1/25/2019
- Sign-On Letter to CMS Requesting Delay of 2019 MSSP Application Deadline 1/18/2019
- ACP Comments to CMS on 2019 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Final Rule 12/21/2018
- ACP Support Letter to Reps. Moulton and Harper for the HEADs UP Act of 2018, H.R. 6611 10/19/2018
- Joint Letter to USCIS Regarding H-1B Visa Processing Delays for International Medical Graduates 5/30/2018
- Letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma Supporting "Patients Over Paperwork" and "Meaningful Measures" Initiatives 10/31/2017
- ACP Letter to House Leaders Regarding Reauthorization of CHIP, Health Workforce Programs, and Other Bills 10/20/2017
- Joint Statement on Health Care Choices Proposal 6/22/2018
- ACP Support Letter to Reps. Moulton and Harper for the HEADs UP Act of 2018, H.R. 6611 10/19/2018
- Joint Letter to USCIS Regarding H-1B Visa Processing Delays for International Medical Graduates 5/30/2018
- Position Statement on Compensation Equity and Transparency in the Field of Medicine 11/19/2017
- Letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma Supporting "Patients Over Paperwork" and "Meaningful Measures" Initiatives 10/31/2017
- ACP Letter to House Leaders Regarding Reauthorization of CHIP, Health Workforce Programs, and Other Bills 10/20/2017
- ACP Letter to House and Senate Leaders about expiring Primary Care Workforce Programs 9/28/2017
- Feedback for House Ways and Means Committee's Medicare Red Tape Relief Project 8/25/2017