MEDIC Careers Act of 2025

This bill creates a pilot program to help service members who worked as medics move into civilian health care jobs. The Department of Defense would give grants to clinics, nursing homes, health centers, and other facilities—especially in shortage and rural areas—to hire, train, and keep these workers. The money can cover help while veterans work toward state licenses or certifications, plus tailored training and better links to existing transition programs. If a training cost is already covered by VA education benefits, the program uses those benefits instead of grant funds .

To qualify, providers must be nonprofits in medically underserved areas and include places like rural health clinics, nursing homes, federally qualified health centers, or facilities in designated shortage areas. Grants last three years, with up to two one-year renewals. Each grant can total up to $600,000 for the first three years, and up to $200,000 for each extra year. Rural providers must be fairly represented. The Defense Department must report on results, and Congress authorized $5 million per year from 2026 through 2030 to run the program, with up to 10% for administration .

• Who is affected: Separating or recently separated military medics; rural and underserved community health providers .
• What changes: Grants to hire and train medics, help with licensing, and coordinate transitions to civilian jobs; preference to rural areas; public reporting on outcomes .
• Funding and timing: Up to $600,000 per grantee over three years, then $200,000 per added year; $5 million per year available from 2026–2030; reports start within two years of enactment .