Our Doctors First Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill stops Medicare from paying for the training of medical residents who are not U.S. citizens. Right now, the government gives money to hospitals to help pay for the education of new doctors.
• Hospitals that try to get money for training non-citizen doctors would face big fines. The first time it happens, the hospital would lose 25 percent of that payment. The second time, they would have to pay a 1 million dollar fine.
• If a hospital keeps breaking the rule, they could be banned from receiving any medical training money at all. A third violation leads to a five year ban, and a fourth violation leads to a ten year ban.
• The plan aims to make sure that medical training spots and tax dollars go to U.S. citizens first. It would apply to both hospitals and other healthcare providers that train doctors.
• These changes would take effect one year after the bill is signed into law. This gives medical schools and hospitals time to update their records and hiring processes.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.