H.R. 8943: Our Doctors First Act of 2026

This bill, titled the "Our Doctors First Act of 2026," proposes changes to the way federal funding is allocated for graduate medical education under the Medicare program in the United States. Here is a summary of its key provisions:

Prohibition of Payments for Non-Citizens

The main focus of the bill is to prohibit federal payments for graduate medical education costs associated with individuals who are not citizens or nationals of the United States. This applies specifically under the Medicare program, impacting how hospitals and medical facilities report and allocate costs related to training medical residents and interns.

Changes to Cost Reporting

The bill introduces specific amendments to existing sections of the Social Security Act that govern Medicare payments for both direct and indirect costs of medical education:

• Direct Graduate Medical Education Costs:
• Indirect Costs:

Sanctions for Non-Compliance

If hospitals or non-hospital providers submit cost reports that improperly include non-citizen residents, the bill outlines a series of escalating penalties:

• For the first violation: A penalty of 25% of the improperly claimed payment.
• For a second violation: A flat penalty of $1,000,000.
• For a third violation: Exclusion from receiving payments for a period of five years.
• For any subsequent violations: Exclusion for ten years.

Implementation Timelines

The provisions of this bill would take effect one year after its enactment, allowing time for hospitals and providers to adjust their practices and ensure compliance. This is aimed at providing a transitional period to adapt to the new regulations regarding residency counting and the associated funding impacts.

Relevant Companies

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