Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025

This bill aims to train more doctors by adding 2,000 new residency slots each year from 2026 through 2032 (up to 14,000 total), and it keeps going after 2032 if needed until all slots are used. Hospitals apply for these slots and must actually add new positions. One-third of the slots are reserved for hospitals that are already training more residents than they’re currently allowed, if they keep at least 25% of their trainees in primary care and general surgery.

The rest of the slots are spread to communities that need doctors most. At least 10% go to each group: rural hospitals; hospitals already training above their caps; hospitals in states with new or expanded medical schools since 2000; and hospitals serving areas with doctor shortages. Hospitals serving shortage areas get priority if they are tied to historically Black medical schools. Most hospitals can receive no more than 75 new positions during 2026–2032. Medicare’s hospital payment rules are also updated for these new positions starting July 1, 2027. The bill also orders a study on how to increase diversity in the health workforce, with a report due within two years.

Key points

• Who is affected: Teaching hospitals; new doctors in training; rural and shortage-area communities; states with new or expanded medical schools; hospitals linked to historically Black medical schools.
• What changes: 2,000 new slots each year (totaling up to 14,000), with one-third reserved for hospitals already over their training cap that support primary care and general surgery; at least 10% of the remaining slots go to key hospital groups; most hospitals can get up to 75 new slots; unused slots roll over to later years.
• When: New slots start in 2026; Medicare payment updates begin July 1, 2027; the diversity study report is due within two years of enactment.