Senator Rick Scott, who chairs the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, led a hearing titled “Doctors Are Out: How Washington Rules Drove Physicians from Medicine.” The session focused on how federal regulations are contributing to physician burnout and worsening workforce shortages in healthcare. Members of the committee and expert witnesses discussed the effects these challenges have on patients, including longer wait times and reduced access to reliable, high-quality care.
Witnesses invited by Chairman Scott included two Floridians: Alma Littles, MD, dean and academic director at Florida State University College of Medicine; and Lee Gross, MD, founder of Epiphany Health Direct Primary Care. Also testifying were Jeffrey Smith, CPA, MBA, FACMPE, CGMA—executive director of Piedmont HealthCare—and the incoming president of the Medical Group Management Association.
Chairman Scott stated: “See Chairman Scott’s full remarks HERE. Read below for Chairman Scott’s prepared remarks as delivered above in English.”
The Senate Aging Committee is responsible for examining issues that affect older Americans such as Social Security, Medicare, long-term care and retirement security. The committee conducts hearings and releases reports related to these topics (https://www.aging.senate.gov/). It also provides resources to protect seniors from fraud and financial exploitation through tools like a dedicated fraud hotline (https://www.aging.senate.gov/).
The committee operates offices in both the Dirksen Senate Office Building for its majority members and the Hart Senate Office Building for minority members (https://www.aging.senate.gov/). Its oversight covers all Americans involved in aging-related federal programs nationwide (https://www.aging.senate.gov/), including regular hearings and policy recommendations regarding Medicare, Social Security and elder abuse prevention (https://www.aging.senate.gov/).
Senator Rick Scott serves as chair while Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is the ranking member of the committee (https://www.aging.senate.gov/).
