Political & Policy Perspectives of GME Development in Arkansas Nate Smith, MD, MPH Director & State Health Officer Arkansas Department of Health

GME needs in Arkansas More GME slots for Arkansas Funding outside of Medicare/Medicaid Increasing the number of accredited GME sites Control over the types and location of GME slots –Specialty mix (i.e., primary care versus subspecialty) –Geographic distribution within the state Population health training –Within existing GME curricula (especially primary care) –Preventive Medicine residency

Potential policy options Arkansas state GME foundation –Funding for additional GME positions –Public/private resources –Supplement to Medicare/Medicaid funding Arkansas state GME/workforce board –Direct GME foundation resources –Develop a coordinated strategy for new GME positions –Optimize specialty mix and training settings –Innovative approaches to increasing access in rural areas