AOA supports accountability in foreign medical education

The AOA recently expressed support for the Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Richard Durbin and Representative Kim Schrier, MD. The bill would ensure that foreign medical schools receiving federal funding are held to the same enrollment and licensing exam pass-rate standards as U.S.-based medical schools.

Currently, a limited number of foreign medical schools are exempt from these requirements, despite higher tuition costs, higher student debt and significantly lower residency match rates. By applying consistent standards across all federally funded medical schools, the legislation would better protect medical students and improve stewardship of taxpayer dollars.