Medical Student Education Authorization Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5428

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-17: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-01-08T09:06:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Medical Student Education Authorization Act of 2025 aims to address shortages of primary care physicians in Tribal, rural, and medically underserved communities by creating a federal grant program. This program supports the training of medical students at public colleges and universities to encourage them to practice primary care (basic medical services like check-ups and preventive care) in these areas after completing their residency (post-medical school training).

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will award grants to accredited public institutions of higher education (like state universities with medical programs).
• Eligibility Requirements:
• Institutions must be in states ranked in the top 25% for projected shortages of primary care doctors, as determined by the Secretary.
• Applicants must submit an application including a certification of fund use and a detailed plan for program activities.
• Priority for Awards:
• Preference goes to institutions in states with at least two federally recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations.
• Additional priority for those with or planning strategic partnerships (collaborations) with community health entities.
• Allowed Uses of Grant Funds:
• Provide community-based training for medical students focused on Tribal, rural, or underserved areas.
• Develop and run primary care training programs, including interdisciplinary (team-based) approaches emphasizing care for these communities.
• Build faculty capacity to lead these programs.
• Form partnerships, such as public-private collaborations, with groups like federally recognized Tribes, Tribal colleges, Federally Qualified Health Centers (community clinics serving low-income areas), rural health clinics, Indian Health Service facilities, and primary care clinics.
• Create plans to track graduates' career paths, including specialties.
• Improve recruitment and retention of students from underserved backgrounds.
• Train instructors to work in these communities.
• Prepare students for primary care residencies and future practice.
• Offer scholarships to medical students.
• Grant Details:
• Awards last up to 5 years.
• Minimum $1,000,000 per fiscal year per grantee.
• Grantees may need to match up to 10% of federal funds with non-federal sources (cash or in-kind contributions like donated services).
• Funding Authorization: $75,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2028.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill adds a new section (Section 742) to Part B of Title VII of the Public Health Service Act (a major U.S. law governing public health programs). It introduces a targeted grant program specifically for public medical education institutions, focusing on primary care training for underserved areas. Previously, similar programs existed but were broader or not exclusively for public institutions in high-shortage states, and this adds new emphases on Tribal partnerships and minimum grant amounts.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: HRSA will administer the program, requiring new processes for applications, awards, and oversight, potentially increasing administrative workload but also expanding federal support for health workforce development.
• Citizens: Medical students gain access to training and scholarships, leading to more primary care doctors in underserved areas, which could improve healthcare access and reduce disparities for rural, Tribal, and low-income populations. Communities may see better health outcomes, such as earlier disease prevention.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. health education and Tribal communities.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Public Institutions of Higher Education: Accredited state universities and medical schools in shortage-prone states, who can apply for and receive grants to enhance programs.
• Medical Students and Faculty: Benefit from training opportunities, scholarships, and professional development, especially those interested in primary care.
• Underserved Communities: Tribal nations, rural residents, and medically underserved groups (e.g., low-income or remote areas) gain from increased physician availability and tailored health services.
• Health Organizations: Partners like Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural clinics, and Indian Health Service facilities, which can collaborate to improve local care.
• Federal Government: HRSA and Congress, responsible for funding and implementation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens existing federal authority under the Public Health Service Act to fund health education without creating new agencies. The 10% matching requirement ensures some local investment but allows flexibility (e.g., in-kind contributions). Tribal partnerships align with federal trust responsibilities to Native American communities under treaties and laws like the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
• Constitutional: Supports the federal government's role in promoting general welfare (Article I, Section 8) by addressing public health needs, with no apparent conflicts.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan interest (introduced by representatives from different parties) in rural and Tribal health equity. The time-limited funding authorization (three years) may pressure future Congresses for reauthorization, and the focus on public institutions could spark debates over equity with private schools. It addresses healthcare workforce shortages amid ongoing national discussions on access disparities.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]

Cosponsors (19)

Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-17: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-09-17: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-17: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Medical Student Education Authorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-17 — PDF (6 pages)