Senators Introduce Bill to Support Medical Students, Ensure Equal Access to Residency Programs

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Martin Heinrich, and Angus King have 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, enabling them to serve patients more effectively. The senators emphasize that DOs are essential to the physician workforce and provide quality care to millions of people in Montana and across the nation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The "Fair Access in Residency" Act aims 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 would require all hospitals participating in Medicare-funded GME programs to annually report to HHS the number of DO and medical doctor (MD) applicants and accepted residents.
  • The bill seeks to increase transparency into Medicare-funded residency programs and help expand access for DOs, ensuring that they have an equal opportunity to complete their training and serve patients.
  • The senators emphasize that the FAIR Act will bring greater transparency and fairness to residency programs, helping to strengthen the healthcare workforce and expand access to care for rural and underserved communities.
  • The bill does not federalize medical education or impose quotas on any residency programs.
  • The senators cited that Montana is home to two colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University in Billings and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls, highlighting the importance of the FAIR Act for the state's healthcare workforce.

Statistics:

  • 2 colleges of Osteopathic Medicine are present in Montana, Rocky Vista University in Billings and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls.
  • The FAIR Act targets Medicare-funded Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs, which provide training to over 10,000 residents annually (source: [1]).
  • The bill requires hospitals to report on the number of DO and MD applicants and accepted residents, aiming to increase transparency and fairness.

Sources:

  • https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/09/04/daines-heinrich-king-introduce-bill-to-support-medical-students/
  • AAoME President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO
  • Dean John E. Moore, DO, MPH, DABFM, DABOFP, FAAFP, Rocky Vista University
  • Interim Associate Dean Stephanie Zeszutek, DO, FACOG, RPh, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine