AACOM Supports Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Tackle Primary Care Physician Workforce Shortages

On May 2, 2023, U.S. Representatives Tom Cole (R-OK) and Dina Titus (D-NV) and Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) reintroduced the AACOM-endorsed Medical Student Education Authorization Act to authorize the Medical Student Education (MSE) Program through fiscal year (FY) 2025. The MSE Program provides grants to public institutions of higher education to expand or support graduate education for physicians in states with the most severe primary care provider shortages. Established in 2019 by Rep. Cole and former Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, the MSE Program is currently subject to annual authorizations, so the MSE Authorization Act would provide much needed sustainability and allow for long-term planning for funded institutions. Read more about the Medical Student Education Authorization Act and urge Congress to support this legislation with the AACOM Action Center.

“The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) applauds Representatives Cole and Titus and Senators Mullin and Rosen for reintroducing the Medical Student Education Authorization Act. With nearly 60 percent of osteopathic physicians practicing in primary care, increasing residency opportunities through the MSE Program helps ensure that graduates from colleges of osteopathic medicine have more opportunities to train in communities where their skills are needed most.” -Robert A. Cain, DO, AACOM President and CEO Take action!