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Improving Access to General Surgery: Study on Surgeon Shortage Areas.

This bill addresses the shortage of general surgeons, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by mandating a comprehensive study. The study will develop new, accurate methods for identifying communities lacking adequate surgical care, considering factors like patient wait times and travel distance. The ultimate goal is to officially designate these shortage areas to facilitate better recruitment and resource allocation, improving healthcare access for citizens.
Key points
Requires a federal study to accurately identify areas across the US suffering from a shortage of general surgeons.
New assessment methods must consider factors like patient travel time to a surgical center and surgical wait times, not just current population ratios.
The findings will allow the government to officially designate "General Surgery Shortage Areas," paving the way for improved healthcare access in those regions.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_1140
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Process start date: 2023-03-30
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_1140.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-03-30.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Requires a federal study to accurately identify areas across the US suffering from a shortage of general surgeons.
  • New assessment methods must consider factors like patient travel time to a surgical center and surgical wait times, not just current population ratios.
  • The findings will allow the government to officially designate "General Surgery Shortage Areas," paving the way for improved healthcare access in those regions.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

CATEGORIES

Health