Recognizing the contributions of academic medicine and observing Academic Medicine Week from June 8 through 12, 2026.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1337
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T18:43:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This resolution designates the week of June 8 through 12, 2026, as Academic Medicine Week. It aims to recognize the role of academic medicine in supporting medical research, patient care, training for health professionals, and community health efforts across the United States.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Designation of the week: Establishes Academic Medicine Week to highlight contributions from medical schools, academic health systems, teaching hospitals, resident physicians, faculty, students, and researchers.
- Missions of academic medicine: Outlines four main areas of focus, including training the health care workforce, conducting medical research, providing advanced patient care (especially for complex cases), and partnering with communities to improve health outcomes.
- Institutional recognition: Notes the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) network, which includes nearly 500 academic health systems and teaching hospitals plus 163 medical schools, and marks its 150-year history.
- Partnerships highlighted: Emphasizes collaborations with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research (where AAMC members conduct about 60 percent of NIH-funded extramural work) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for training and care, including that about 70 percent of U.S. physicians train partly in VA facilities.
- Care and economic data: Provides statistics on services like charity care (32 percent of hospital-based), Medicare and Medicaid inpatient days, trauma centers, and pediatric care units, along with an estimated $728 billion economic impact in 2019 (about 3.2 percent of U.S. GDP) and support for over 7.1 million jobs.
- Workforce and funding needs: Addresses physician shortages, calls for increased Medicare support for graduate medical education, and continued funding for Health Resources and Services Administration programs (Titles VII and VIII) to address shortages in rural and underserved areas.
- Resolved actions: The House of Representatives supports the week’s designation, affirms academic medicine’s impact, recognizes the need for federal support of related programs, and encourages public awareness of these institutions’ role in national health.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
This resolution introduces no changes to existing law. As a non-binding House resolution, it serves only as an expression of recognition and does not amend statutes, allocate funds, or create new legal requirements.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government agencies: May encourage continued or increased federal support for programs involving the NIH, VA, and Health Resources and Services Administration, though it does not mandate any actions or funding changes.
- Citizens: Aims to raise public awareness of academic medicine’s contributions to health care access, research advancements, and economic activity, potentially influencing community perceptions in rural and underserved areas.
- International relations: No direct impacts noted, as the resolution focuses solely on domestic U.S. institutions and partnerships.
Main Stakeholders Affected by This Legislation
- Academic institutions and networks, such as the AAMC and its member medical schools, academic health systems, and teaching hospitals.
- Health care professionals and trainees, including over 210,000 faculty, 100,000 medical students, 162,000 resident physicians, and researchers.
- Patients and communities, particularly those receiving care in academic settings or benefiting from research and workforce development.
- Federal agencies, including the NIH, VA, and Health Resources and Services Administration.
- Broader economy and workforce, through referenced economic contributions and training programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
This resolution carries no legal force and raises no apparent constitutional issues, as it does not create enforceable rights or obligations. It reflects a bipartisan introduction and expresses the House’s view on the value of academic medicine without altering policy or legal frameworks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-06-03: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the contributions of academic medicine and observing Academic Medicine Week from June 8 through 12, 2026. — issued 2026-06-03 — PDF (6 pages)