Medical Student Education Authorization Act of 2025
The Medical Student Education Authorization Act of 2025 would create a new grant program under the Public Health Service Act to fund accredited public colleges and universities. The goal is to strengthen medical education for students who will become primary care physicians and to encourage them to serve in Tribal, rural, or medically underserved communities after residency. Grants would support community-based training, faculty development, partnerships with Tribal and rural health entities, and efforts to recruit, retain, and prepare students for primary care careers in underserved areas. The program prioritizes institutions in states with high projected primary care shortages and those with strong tribal partnerships. Grants would run up to five years, with a minimum annual amount of $1 million per grant, and would require non-federal matching funds of up to 10 percent. The legislation authorizes $75 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2028. Introduced by Rep. Cole (with Rep. Titus) on September 17, 2025, the bill would direct the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to implement and administer the program, including selecting eligible institutions, awarding grants, and monitoring progress toward expanding primary care access in underserved communities.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a new grants program under the Public Health Service Act to fund accredited public institutions of higher education for medical student education focused on primary care in Tribal, rural, and underserved communities.
- 2Eligibility: public accredited higher education institutions located in states in the top quartile for projected primary care physician shortages; must apply with a plan and certification of how funds will be used to achieve program goals.
- 3Priority criteria: grants prioritized for states with at least two Indian Tribes/Tribal organizations and where institutions have or plan to establish strategic partnerships with tribal entities and other health partners (e.g., federally qualified health centers, rural clinics, IHS-related programs).
- 4Use of funds: activities include community-based training, primary care training programs, faculty development, partnerships with Tribes and health centers, graduate follow-up plans, recruitment/retention efforts for students from underserved communities, instructor training, transition preparation to residency, and scholarships.
- 5Grant terms and funding: grants awarded for up to five years; each grant must be at least $1,000,000 per year.
- 6Matching requirement: non-Federal matching funds may be required, up to 10 percent of the annual Federal grant.
- 7Authorization of appropriations: authorizes $75 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2028 to fund the program.