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by hardtke 1020 days ago
The supply of doctors in the US is primarily limited by the number of residency slots. Unlike many countries, foreign medical graduates can't practice here without doing a residency. I think the number of residency slots is kept low by the federal government (which funds them) and also by physician organization lobbying.
3 comments

Why does the federal government need to fund residency slots? They generate tons of billings and get paid next to nothing. Should be very profitable.
they're not. As far as I understand every single one loses money before accounting for federal subsidies. Many are actually closing.
Exactly, just like the number of homes is artificially limited by zoning, permitting, etc. It's all artificial scarcity and it's for life's essentially--which is why I said it's a scam because it seems intentional.
There aren't rules against entities other than the federal government funding a slot.