GOP Unveils New Law to Tackle Arizona’s Doctor Shortage Crisis

By Matthew Holloway |

New legislation aimed at mitigating the doctor shortage in Arizona has been enacted, following strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Senate Bill 1727, sponsored by Carine Werner, Chair of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, mandates that public university medical schools interview all Arizona residents who meet admissions criteria.

Research from the American Medical Association (AMA) highlights that most physicians tend to remain in the states where they complete their education and training. This legislation aims to address this trend in Arizona specifically.

“Trying to schedule a new patient appointment only to face delays or outright refusals exposes the severity of Arizona’s doctor shortage,” Werner noted. “Access to timely medical care can be life-altering. SB 1727 is a foundational step toward fostering a workforce that stays in our state.”

Werner collaborated with Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and the Arizona Board of Regents to ensure effective implementation of the new requirements.

Currently, Arizona’s six medical schools provide a limited number of interviews to applicants, which has forced many qualified local students to seek education in other states. According to Senate Republicans, those students often do not return home after their training.

Drawing on AMA data indicating that 54.6% of out-of-state medical graduates do not come back to their home state, lawmakers believe that increasing the number of interviews for Arizona residents will cultivate a qualified, local medical workforce.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.