On May 23, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory to highlight the urgent need to address the health worker burnout crisis across the country. The advisory provides recommendations to address the underlying factors contributing to burnout, improve health worker well-being, and strengthen the nation’s public health infrastructure.
The advisory explains how health care organizations can help the workforce, including by reducing administrative and other workforce burdens, transforming organizational cultures to prioritize workers’ well-being, and investing in public health and the health workforce. Notably, the advisory recommends expanding graduate medical education (GME) to address impending physician shortages and supporting workforce development programs by the Department of Health and Human Services and relevant stakeholders.
GNYHA is grateful that the Surgeon General issued this advisory to highlight the health workforce burnout crisis. During GNYHA’s dialogue with the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG), OSG staff highlighted Medicare funding for GME positions and the increase in the cap on Medicare support for physician training enacted in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). We will continue to advocate to increase the number of Medicare-supported residency positions and work with the Administration to bolster Federal support for GME.