Legislation Aims to Study Maldistribution of Surgeons, Improve Access to Care

Last week in the US House of Representatives, Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), John Joyce, MD (R-PA), Scott Peters (D-CA), and Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026, which would direct the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to study and define a general surgery workforce shortage area and collect data on the adequacy of access to surgical services. 

Additionally, this legislation would grant the Health and Human Services Secretary the authority to create a general surgery shortage area designation.

"In light of growing evidence demonstrating a maldistribution of general surgeons, the ACS believes that additional research is necessary to better understand where critical shortage areas exist,” said Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, ACS Executive Director and CEO, thanking Reps. Bera, Joyce, Peters, and Bacon for their continued leadership on the issue.

Unlike other key providers, general surgeons do not currently have a formal workforce shortage area designation. Determining where patients lack access to surgical services and designating a formal surgical shortage area would provide a valuable new tool for increasing access to a full spectrum of high-quality healthcare services.  

Additionally, incentivizing general surgeons to locate or remain in communities with workforce shortages is essential in guaranteeing that all patients have access to quality surgical care. 

Urge your representatives to support the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act by visiting SurgeonsVoice today.