Physicians for Underserved Areas Act

This bill changes how medical residency spots are reassigned when a hospital with a residency program closes. Instead of favoring hospitals in the same region of the country, it focuses on moving these spots to hospitals that can use them sooner and fill them on a clear timeline. The goal is to get more doctors training where patients need them, especially in underserved areas.

Hospitals that get these reassigned slots must show they can start using them within 2 years and fully fill them within 5 years. These changes apply to hospitals that close on or after the date the bill becomes law .

• Who is affected: Hospitals receiving residency slots after another hospital closes; medical residents and the communities they serve.
• What changes: Removes regional priority and sets clear 2-year start and 5-year fill deadlines for new slots.
• When it applies: For hospital closures occurring on or after the date this becomes law.