The AMA doesn&#x27;t restrict the number of doctors really either.. that&#x27;s an old trope that isn&#x27;t really true. The number of doctors is restricted by the number of residency slots available, which is restricted by congressional funding since they&#x27;re all paid for via Medicare.  If congress were serious about increasing the number of doctors, they could pass a bill tomorrow authorizing more money for new residency programs.<p>We&#x27;ve dramatically increased the number of medical students but haven&#x27;t kept up in residency spots.<p>NEJM lays it out:<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nejm.org&#x2F;doi&#x2F;full&#x2F;10.1056&#x2F;NEJMp1306445?viewType=Print&amp;viewClass=Print&amp;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nejm.org&#x2F;doi&#x2F;full&#x2F;10.1056&#x2F;NEJMp1306445?viewType=P...</a>