Federal and state lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at strengthening primary care through increased investment, spending targets and workforce development initiatives. While these efforts share a common goal of expanding access to care, a critical question remains: where will the physicians come from? Physician retraining may help address workforce shortages and support the growing demand for primary care providers. 

Across the country, lawmakers are increasingly focused on a growing challenge: the shortage of primary care physicians. 

Recent federal and state legislative proposals reflect a broad recognition that primary care is the foundation of an effective healthcare system. Studies have consistently linked strong primary care access to better health outcomes, lower healthcare costs, reduced hospitalizations and improved management of chronic conditions. Yet despite its importance, primary care continues to face workforce shortages in many communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. 

As policymakers look for ways to strengthen primary care, an important question remains: Where will the physicians come from? 

Primary Care as a Policy Priority 

In June 2026, members of the bipartisan Congressional Primary Care Caucus introduced the Prioritizing Primary Care Act of 2026 (H.R. 8765). The legislation would require federal agencies to report how much healthcare spending is directed toward primary care and establish a federal working group to develop recommendations for expanding the primary care workforce. 

Meanwhile, at the state level, lawmakers are pursuing a variety of approaches to address similar concerns. For example: 

• California (AB 2386) would create a pathway for qualified internationally trained physicians to obtain licensure, expanding the pool of physicians available to serve patients in underserved communities. 

• Massachusetts (S.867) would establish statewide primary care spending targets, create a primary care council and implement workforce recruitment and retention initiatives designed to strengthen the primary care system. 

• Vermont (S.197) would increase investment in primary care through payment reform measures and spending targets intended to make primary care practices more financially sustainable. 

• New York (A1915B) would require health plans and payors to dedicate a minimum percentage of healthcare expenditures to primary care services, reflecting a growing emphasis on preventive and longitudinal care. 

• Delaware (SB 1) would promote greater investment in primary care through payment reform and value-based care initiatives aimed at improving access and supporting the healthcare workforce. 

While the details differ, the underlying goal is remarkably consistent: increase access to primary care by strengthening the primary care workforce. 

The Primary Care Workforce Challenge 

Increasing investment in primary care may be an important step, but funding alone does not solve workforce shortages. 

Training new physicians requires years of education, residency training and clinical experience. Even if significant new investments are made today, it may take years before those efforts result in a meaningful increase in the number of practicing primary care physicians. 

Meanwhile, healthcare organizations continue to face immediate staffing challenges. Many communities already struggle to recruit and retain enough primary care physicians to meet patient demand. 

An Often-Overlooked Opportunity 

One potential solution involves retraining physicians who are already licensed as primary care doctors. 

Many practicing physicians possess years of clinical experience, a deep understanding of patient care and extensive knowledge of healthcare systems. Some may be seeking greater continuity with patients, a new professional challenge or a career path that aligns more closely with their long-term goals. 

For these physicians, retraining pathways can provide an opportunity to apply existing clinical expertise in a primary care setting while helping address critical workforce needs. 

Looking Ahead 

Whether individual bills ultimately become law remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that policymakers across the country are increasingly focused on expanding access to primary care and addressing physician shortages. 

Meeting that challenge will likely require a combination of solutions, including training new physicians, improving retention, supporting underserved communities and creating pathways for experienced physicians to transition into primary care roles. 

As the conversation around primary care continues to evolve, physician retraining programs may play an important role in helping healthcare systems meet growing patient needs while providing new career opportunities for licensed physicians. To learn more about how physician retraining programs can help address primary care workforce shortages while creating new career opportunities for licensed physicians, contact PRR today.