Senator Rick Scott, chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, led a hearing titled “Doctors are Out: How Washington Rules Drove Doctors from Medicine.” The session examined how federal regulations are contributing to physician burnout and worsening workforce shortages. Committee members and expert witnesses discussed real-world impacts on patients, such as longer wait times and reduced access to reliable, high-quality care.
The panel of witnesses invited by Chairman Scott included two Florida residents: Alma Littles, MD, dean and academic director at Florida State University College of Medicine; Lee Gross, MD, founder of Epiphany Health Direct Primary Care; Jeffrey Smith, CPA, MBA, FACMPE, CGMA, executive director of Piedmont HealthCare; and the incoming president of the Medical Group Management Association.
Scott’s full remarks for the hearing were made available in English. He stated: "Doctores están fuera: Cómo las normas de Washington expulsaron de la medicina a los médicos" (Doctors are out: How Washington rules drove doctors from medicine).
The Senate Aging Committee addresses issues affecting older Americans including Social Security, Medicare, long-term care and retirement security through hearings and reports (official website). The committee also provides resources such as a fraud hotline to protect seniors from financial exploitation (official website). Its oversight covers aging-related federal programs nationwide (official website), including regular policy recommendations on elder abuse prevention (official website).
Rick Scott serves as chair while Kirsten Gillibrand is the ranking member (official website). Offices for the majority are located in the Dirksen Senate Office Building with minority offices in Hart Senate Office Building (official website).
