Nevada lawmakers back bills to bring more doctors, dentists to Nevada

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) speaks during a Nevada Democratic Party election night watch party at Aria, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Photo by Wade Vandervort

U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., has reintroduced legislation that would permit doctors and dentists in underserved areas to defer student loan payments interest free until they finish their residency or internship programs.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest Act is meant to create an easier pathway for aspiring medical and dental professionals amid a shortage in Nevada. All 17 of Nevada’s counties have shortages of primary care doctors and dentists, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.

“The shortage of doctors and dentists in our state is hurting Nevadans’ ability to get quality health care, and we need urgent action to address it,” Rosen said. 

The average graduate indebtedness at UNLV’s Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine was $148,453, according to a 2024 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

U.S. Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., is also touting legislation to address the state’s shortage of doctors by increasing graduate medical education residency positions in the state.

She sent a letter to Gov. Joe Lombardo on Friday encouraging him to endorse the legislation. 

“This bill would be a critical step in bringing more doctors to Nevada’s communities in need and addressing Nevada’s severe provider shortages,” Lee said in the letter.