What does Preamble of Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to amend the Public Health Service Act regarding the designation of general surgery shortage areas. The bill's stated purpose is to address issues related to general surgery shortages.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026.

What does FINDINGS. of Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to physician workforce shortages in the United States. The Bureau of Health Workforce indicates the U.S. faces a physician shortage. Studies project that the supply of general surgeons will not keep pace with population growth and demand for surgical services. Projections estimate shortages of 15,800 to 30,200 surgeons across all specialties by 2034. A maldistribution of general surgeons exists, with rural areas experiencing significant shortages. The text emphasizes the need for comprehensive research and high-quality data to accurately project future physician workforce needs. Factors such as health outcomes, utilization trends, population changes, and delivery system changes influence workforce needs. Additional assessment of the general surgeon workforce is deemed necessary, particularly in rural and shortage areas.

What does STUDY ON DESIGNATION OF GENERAL SURGICAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL of Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Public Health Service Act to add a subpart concerning the designation of general surgery shortage areas. The Secretary, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, is directed to conduct a study on access to general surgeons for underserved populations. The study must assess the accuracy of current shortage designations and explore alternative measures, such as surgeon-to-population ratios. The Secretary is tasked with analyzing a methodology involving surgery service areas, surgeon identification, and surgeon-to-population ratios, including establishing thresholds for optimal, adequate, shortage, and critical shortage levels. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress within one year of the subpart’s enactment detailing the study’s findings. The Secretary is required to consult with stakeholders, including medical societies and patient organizations, during the study and designation processes. The Secretary may establish a methodology for designating general surgery shortage areas through rulemaking. The Secretary will periodically collect and publish data comparing the availability and need of general surgery services in different areas.

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Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026

Last updated: 5/20/2026 · Introduced: 5/20/2026

Author: Brian Schatz (D-HI)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill directs the Health Resources and Services Administration to conduct a study on access to general surgeons, evaluating current shortage designations and exploring alternative measures like surgeon-to-population ratios.
The bill requires the Secretary to analyze a methodology for designating general surgery shortage areas, including establishing thresholds for different shortage levels.
The Secretary must submit a report to Congress detailing the study’s findings and will periodically collect and publish data comparing the availability and need of general surgery services across different areas.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 7198(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

4 sections

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