Advocate for DO Residency Fairness!
Published February 23, 2026
By AACOM Government Relations
Advocacy Graduate Medical Education OME Advocate
Many federally funded graduate medical education (GME) programs treat DO students unfairly in the residency selection process by requiring them to take the MD-licensing exam, the USMLE, or refusing to interview them entirely. DOs incur significant costs to take the USMLE, as well as the emotional strain associated with preparing for an additional test that is not geared toward the osteopathic profession nor needed for licensure.
The Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act, H.R. 2314 / S. 2715, addresses these disparities by ensuring that Medicare-funded residency programs accept DO applications and their licensing exam, the COMLEX-USA. Bipartisan congressional support for the FAIR Act continues to grow with 16 cosponsors in the House and eight in the Senate.
With Match week less than one month away, tell Congress to 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!