Recognizing the contributions of academic medicine and observing Academic Medicine Week from June 23 through 27, 2025.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 531
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T18:43:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This resolution (H. Res. 531) aims to recognize the vital role of academic medicine in the U.S. health care system, including medical research, education, patient care, and community health. It designates the week of June 23 through 27, 2025, as "Academic Medicine Week" to highlight these contributions and encourage public awareness and federal support.
Key Provisions
- Designation and Recognition: Supports the official designation of Academic Medicine Week and affirms the critical impact of academic medicine on patients and communities across the country.
- Core Missions of Academic Medicine: Emphasizes four main areas:
- Educating and training health care professionals, including physicians, residents, and researchers.
- Conducting innovative medical research, often in partnership with federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- Providing advanced patient care, especially for complex cases.
- Collaborating with communities to improve overall health, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
- Support for Federal Programs: Calls for increased federal funding and support for:
- Graduate medical education (GME) under Medicare to address physician shortages.
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs for scholarships, mentorship, and training in underserved areas.
- Partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veteran health care and training.
- Economic and Workforce Highlights: Notes the economic contributions of academic medicine, such as generating over $728 billion in U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 and supporting millions of jobs.
- Encouragement to the Public: Urges Americans to acknowledge the role of medical schools, teaching hospitals, and academic health systems in advancing national health.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding House resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a symbolic statement of congressional support rather than enacting new policies or regulations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Encourages sustained funding for agencies like NIH (which funds about 60% of its external research through academic institutions), HRSA (for workforce training in underserved areas), Medicare (for residency positions), and VA (for veteran care partnerships). It could indirectly influence budget priorities by raising awareness of physician shortages and research needs.
- On Citizens: Raises public awareness of academic medicine's role in improving health outcomes, training doctors, and addressing shortages (projected up to 86,000 physicians by 2036). It may promote better access to care in rural and underserved communities through highlighted training programs.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, though it underscores U.S. leadership in global medical research and innovation via NIH partnerships.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Academic Institutions: Medical schools, teaching hospitals, and academic health systems (e.g., members of the Association of American Medical Colleges, or AAMC, including nearly 500 hospitals and 160 schools).
- Health Professionals and Trainees: Faculty physicians, resident physicians (over 162,000), medical students (99,000), and biomedical researchers (60,000 graduate students and postdocs).
- Federal Agencies and Programs: NIH, HRSA, Medicare, and VA, which partner with academic medicine for research, training, and care.
- Communities and Patients: Especially in rural, underserved, and veteran populations, benefiting from expanded training and care access.
- General Public and Economy: All Americans, as academic medicine supports job creation (7.1 million jobs) and economic growth across industries.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: None, as this is a simple resolution without the force of law. It does not require presidential approval or amend the Constitution.
- Political: Bipartisan (introduced by Rep. Castor and Rep. Fitzpatrick), it signals congressional consensus on the need for federal investment in health education and research amid challenges like physician shortages and aging populations. It could build momentum for future funding bills but has no enforceable outcomes. The interconnected "four missions" of academic medicine are framed as interdependent, implying that cuts to one area (e.g., research funding) could harm others, potentially influencing debates on health budgets.
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
- 2025-06-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-06-23: Submitted in House
- 2025-06-23: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the contributions of academic medicine and observing Academic Medicine Week from June 23 through 27, 2025. — issued 2025-06-23 — PDF (6 pages)