Press Releases
March 18, 2009
Momentum Builds for Conrad State 30 Program
Senator Works to Expand Program Bringing More Doctors to Rural Communities
Washington – In an effort to bring more health care professionals to America’s rural communities, Senator Kent Conrad today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the Conrad State 30 program, a national initiative designed to bring doctors to areas plagued by a shortage of physicians.
“All too often, families in rural areas of North Dakota are forced to travel great distances for routine health care. That is unacceptable. We need doctors where their patients are – in the communities,” Senator Conrad said. “This expanded version of the Conrad State 30 program will bring more doctors to more communities, allowing patients access to vital services right in their hometown.”
Senator Conrad created the popular State 30 program through legislation he first introduced in 1994. Under the program, foreign-born but American-trained doctors provide health care to people living in underserved communities for at least three years in exchange for an extension of their stay in the United States.
Although the program has an important component that allows for certain specialists and other doctors to serve in more urban areas of North Dakota, the legislation introduced today will make it easier for the truly rural areas in the state to recruit primary care and family doctors.
The physician shortage in America is a growing crisis. By 2020, some projections show the nation may fall short by as many as 200,000 doctors. This shortage will be felt hardest in rural areas in North Dakota — and across the nation.
The Conrad State 30 Program has brought more than 100 doctors to North Dakota communities that otherwise would have experienced a lack of physician coverage.
“The Conrad State 30 Improvement Act builds on what was already a very successful program. It will expand the number of doctors in rural communities in North Dakota and across the nation increasing access to the quality health care people need and deserve,” said Mary Amundson, an assistant professor at UND’s Center for Rural Health.”
Senator Conrad’s legislation is being co-sponsored by Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kan), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.)
