Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) introduced the AAMC-supported Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 (H.R. 3890) on June 10.
The legislation would provide 14,000 new Medicare graduate medical education (GME) slots over seven years. In determining which hospitals would receive slots, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would be required to consider the likelihood of a teaching hospital filling positions and to distribute at least 10% of the slots to rural teaching hospitals, hospitals training over their GME cap, hospitals in states with new medical schools or new branch campuses, and hospitals that serve areas designated as health professional shortage areas, with priority to hospitals affiliated with historically Black medical schools. The legislation also contains a provision to codify the AAMC-supported Rural Residency Planning and Development program [refer to Washington Highlights, April 5, 2024].
Upon introduction of the legislation, AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, issued a statement applauding the introduction of the bill and commending Reps. Sewell and Fitzpatrick for their “unwavering support for federal investment in physician training.” The statement continues, “Their commitment reflects an understanding of the urgent need for communities nationwide to have access to the quality health care they deserve.”
The Senate version of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.