Senators John Barrasso, MD (WY-R) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (NV-D) led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, urging the department to exercise the department's existing authority to adjust Graduate Medical Education (GME) caps for new programs in undeserved areas. Furthermore, the Senators requested that the Secretary pursue cap flexibility policy as granted and intended by Congress. Senators Barrasso and Cortez-Masto were joined by 8 of their colleagues in urging the Secretary to take action in the near future while they work on comprehensive GME reform.
See letter here.
Senator Signors to the Barrasso-Cortez-Masto Letter:
Senator Lamar Alexander (TN-R), Chairman Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; and Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services
Senator John Barrasso, M.D. (WY-R), Chairman Senate Republican Policy Committee
Senator John Cornyn (TX-R), Assistant Republican Leader; and Member, Senate Finance Committee
Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (NV-D)
Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL-D)
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS-R), Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services
Senator Angus King (ME-I)
Senator Anne Kobuchar (MN-D)
Senator Jeff Merkeley (OR-D), Ranking Member Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services
Senator Roger Wicker (MS-R)