Bill > S2439

This bill aims to address the physician shortage in the United States by creating a systematic approach to distribute additional medical residency positions across various types of hospitals from fiscal years 2027 through 2033. The legislation would increase the total number of available residency positions by 2,000 per year, with a goal of distributing up to 14,000 new positions over seven years. The bill prioritizes distribution to hospitals in rural areas, those serving health professional shortage areas, hospitals affiliated with historically Black medical schools, and institutions with new medical schools or additional campuses. Hospitals must agree to actually fill these new positions and are limited to receiving up to 75 new residency positions during the specified period. Importantly, the bill includes specific considerations for distribution, such as the hospital's likelihood of filling the positions and maintaining a balanced approach across different types of medical institutions. Additionally, the bill mandates a study by the Comptroller General to examine strategies for increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce, with a focus on recruiting professionals from rural, lower-income, and underrepresented minority communities. The study will result in a report to Congress with recommendations for further legislative and administrative actions to improve workforce diversity.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2439/all-info