Residency Barriers Persist for DOs Amid Growth in Osteopathic Schools — Support the FAIR Act
Published November 03, 2025
By AACOM Government Relations
Advocacy Federal Policy Graduate Medical Education OME Advocate Residency
A recent SmartBrief article underscores the powerful growth of osteopathic medical schools, now training future physicians at 71 locations across the country. COMs are leading efforts to close healthcare gaps, especially in rural and underserved communities. Despite their critical role in the healthcare workforce, many DO graduates are excluded from federally funded residencies. Nearly 30 percent of residency program directors never or seldom interview DOs, and among those who do, 73 percent require them to take the MD licensing exam. The Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act, H.R. 2314 / S. 2715, works to remove these barriers by ensuring equal access to residency opportunities, strengthening the physician workforce and expanding healthcare access nationwide. MedPage Today and Becker’s Hospital Review have also underscored the importance of the FAIR Act. The ongoing government shutdown adds pressure on medical schools in shortage areas that rely on federal education, training and research funds. Support the FAIR Act to give DO students fair access to residencies and strengthen our healthcare workforce. Urge your elected officials to cosponsor the FAIR Act today! |