U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Angus King (I-Maine) have introduced the “Fair Access in Residency” Act, a bill aimed at addressing disparities within Medicare-funded Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs that often affect Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). The legislation seeks to increase transparency and remove barriers for DOs applying to residency programs.
“DOs are essential to the physician workforce and provide millions of people in Montana and across the nation with quality care. DOs put in countless hours of hard work and personal sacrifice to help others, but often face unnecessary barriers when applying for residency programs. I’m glad to work with my colleagues on the FAIR Act, which will increase transparency into Medicare-funded residency programs and help expand access for DOs, so we have more doctors serving our country,” said Daines.
Heinrich noted challenges faced by rural and Tribal communities: “New Mexicans already face too many barriers to accessing care, especially in rural and Tribal communities. We cannot afford to leave qualified medical students on the sidelines because of outdated barriers in the residency process. The bipartisan FAIR Act will bring greater transparency and fairness to residency programs, helping ensure that both DO and MD students have equal opportunity to complete their training and serve patients. By opening the door to more highly trained physicians, this bill will help strengthen our health care workforce and expand access to care for New Mexicans.”
King emphasized osteopathic medicine’s growth: “Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest growing health professions in the United States, including in Maine, and is integral to our state’s health workforce. The FAIR Act is a commonsense measure, aimed at ensuring fairness in the medical residency process and affirming that residency candidates graduated from osteopathic schools have an equal shot at these positions. Expanding access to residency slots for Dos means expanding access to healthcare, and primary care in particular, for those in the most rural communities to those in our major urban centers.”
The bill requires hospitals participating in Medicare-funded GME programs to report annually on numbers of DO and MD applicants as well as accepted residents. It also mandates acceptance of applications using either COMLEX-USA or USMLE licensing exams without imposing quotas or federalizing medical education.
Supporters include leaders from educational institutions such as Rocky Vista University in Billings—one of two colleges of Osteopathic Medicine located in Montana—and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls.
“It is difficult to overstate the importance of the Senate’s FAIR Act introduction. Having both congressional chambers advance this bill brings us one step closer to parity for DOs and improved access to healthcare for communities across the country, especially those in rural and underserved areas. AACOM deeply appreciates the leadership and support of Senators Daines, Heinrich and King in championing this vital effort.”— AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO
“Rocky Vista University and the Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine proudly support the Fair Access in Residency (FAIR) Act. This legislation is essential to ensuring that qualified DO graduates have equitable access to federally funded residency programs, alongside their MD peers. At a time when Montana and communities across the nation face growing physician shortages, the FAIR Act will help us continue fulfilling our mission of educating tomorrow’s healthcare leaders. We are proud to stand alongside Senator Daines in support of this critical effort to strengthen the physician workforce and improve the health of communities here in Montana and across the country.” – Dean John E. Moore, DO, MPH, DABFM, DABOFP, FAAFP
“At TouroCOM-MT, we are proud to support Senator Daines’ leadership on the FAIR Act, which ensures our students are evaluated on their merits and have equal access to residency opportunities. By recognizing COMLEX-USA and USMLE equally, this legislation removes unnecessary barriers for future physicians and helps Montana address its critical shortage of rural healthcare providers.” – Interim Associate Dean Stephanie Zeszutek, DO, FACOG, RPh
Montana has two colleges offering osteopathic medical education: Rocky Vista University located in Billings; Touro College operates its campus out of Great Falls.
