AAMC Endorses Senate Bill to Expand Federal Investment in Physician Training

Date of the Article: July 24, 2025

The AAMC’s endorsement of the bipartisan Doctors of Community Act sponsored by Senator

Joni Ernst of Iowa marks a pivotal moment for hospitals navigating physician workforce

challenges. This legislation, introduced in August 2025, proposes adding 2,000 new Medicare-

supported residency slots annually for seven years—a significant expansion that directly

addresses the projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.

For hospital administrators, this isn’t just policy—it’s a strategic lever. GME caps have long

limited hospitals’ ability to grow training programs despite rising demand, and this bill offers a

path forward. By prioritizing underserved areas, it aligns with mission-driven care and

community health goals, reinforcing hospitals’ role as anchors of both education and access.

Investing in residency programs isn’t just about preparing future physicians—it’s about building

sustainable staffing pipelines, improving retention, and strengthening institutional ties to the

communities they serve.

The Doctors of Community Act builds on previous expansions, signaling a renewed federal

commitment to supporting hospitals as engines of medical education and care delivery.