YourVoice.Now Summary
Transparency & AccountabilityA federal study would map where people lack nearby general surgeons — official shortage areas could follow
Transparency & Accountability
The health agency would regularly publish data in the Federal Register comparing the need for general surgery with how many surgeons are nearby. If it names official shortage areas, it must publish that list too.
More about this bill
If you live far from a general surgeon, this bill aims to measure that gap. Nothing would change for patients right away. A federal health agency would study whether today's shortage maps count general surgeons the right way. It would test a new way to count, using nearby hospitals, the number of surgeons, and drive times. Wait times and health results would count too. A report to Congress is due within 1 year after the bill becomes law. The agency would also post data on how many surgeons each area needs and has, in cities, suburbs, and rural towns. After the study, the agency could choose to name some places as official "general surgery shortage areas" under this new section of law. It would first propose a way to pick them and take public comment. If it names any, it must post the list and check it every year. The bill itself ties no new money or programs to these areas.
Congressional Summary
Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to study access to general surgeons by underserved populations. Specifically, HRSA must study (1) whether the health professional shortage area designation under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) program accurately assesses adequacy of access to general surgeons, (2) whether another measure would be more accurate, and (3) potential methodologies for designating general surgery shortage areas. (The NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to primary care, dental care, and mental health care providers who agree to work in areas that HRSA designates as having a shortage of those particular types of providers.) HRSA must also publish data comparing the availability and need of general surgery services in urban, suburban, and rural areas. On the basis of its study, HRSA may establish a methodology for designating general surgery shortage areas and make such designations. If any designations are made, HRSA must publish a list of general surgery shortage areas.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2026-01-22
- Date Added
- 2026-10-02
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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