H.R. 9605: Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act

This bill would move the federal government’s main role in overseeing foreign medical school accreditation from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

What changes

• It transfers the Education Department’s functions related to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation to HHS.
• HHS would take over the authority, staff support, records, contracts, funds, and other resources connected to those functions.
• Any legal references to the Secretary of Education or the Department of Education for these responsibilities would be treated as referring to the Secretary of HHS or HHS instead.

What stays the same

• Existing rules, approvals, licenses, contracts, and other official actions tied to these functions would generally remain in effect until changed under the law.
• Pending applications, proceedings, and lawsuits would continue rather than being restarted because of the transfer.
• Administrative procedures and judicial review requirements would still apply to HHS when it carries out the transferred duties.

How the transition would work

• HHS would be allowed to temporarily use Education Department personnel, assets, and funds to help carry out the transition.
• The bill says the transfer should not cause a net increase in full-time federal employees at the affected agencies.
• The Office of Management and Budget would handle any needed implementation details and certify that the act complies with the staffing limit.

Timing

• The bill would generally take effect 6 months after enactment.
• Some transition activities could begin earlier, starting on the date of enactment.

Relevant Companies

None found.