The number of graduates of United States allopathic medical schools has been relatively constant for two decades while national health care utilization and expenditures have risen rapidly. Growing demand for medical residents has largely been met with international medical graduates (IMGs). Physician groups have been concerned about the specter of a surplus of doctors driven by managed care pressures. Deans of allopathic medical schools have been reluctant to increase the supply of United States medical graduates; this is partly due to the lack of economic incentives to admit more students. Consistent with criticism made by Princeton economist Uwe Reinhardt and physician Fitzhugh Mullan, it is argued here that increased numbers of physicians can lead to improved access for lower income groups and rural areas.