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Legislative bills

Fair Access in Residency Act Introduced to Address Barriers for Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Martin Heinrich, and Angus King introduced the "Fair Access in Residency" Act to address disparities and barriers within Medicare-funded Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs that often exclude or impose undue burdens on Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). The bill aims to increase transparency into Medicare-funded residency programs and help expand access for DOs. According to Senator Daines, "DOs are essential to the physician workforce and provide millions of people in Montana and across the nation with quality care."

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAIR Act would require hospitals participating in Medicare-funded GME programs to annually report to HHS the number of DO and MD applicants and accepted residents.
  • The bill would also require hospitals to affirm that DO applications and the COMLEX licensing exam are accepted for consideration of residency.
  • The FAIR Act does not federalize medical education or impose quotas on any residency programs.
  • The bill aims to ensure fairness in the medical residency process and provide equal opportunities for DO and MD students.
  • Montana is home to two colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: Rocky Vista University in Billings and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls.
  • The FAIR Act has received statements of support from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), Rocky Vista University, and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Statistics:

  • The FAIR Act aims to provide equal access to residency programs for 24,000 Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) in the United States.
  • According to the American Osteopathic Association, there are over 50,000 osteopathic physicians practicing in the United States.
  • Montana is facing a critical shortage of rural healthcare providers, with a projected shortage of 70-100 primary care physicians state-wide by 2025.
  • The FAIR Act would help ensure that qualified DO graduates have equitable access to federally funded residency programs, alongside their MD peers.

Sources:

  • Statement by Senator Steve Daines
  • Statement by Senator Martin Heinrich
  • Statement by Senator Angus King
  • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
  • Rocky Vista University
  • Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

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