This bill was introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on the Judiciary. It is in the early stages of the lawmaking process and has not been scheduled for a vote yet. The bill is still considered active as it waits for further action from the committee.
Legislative Progress
Senate
House
President
Law
Unlikely to pass
While there is some interest in changing how doctors are hired, the current system has very strong support from major medical associations and large hospitals.
How we got here
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
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Reintroduced
Reintroduced from H.R. 2858 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
This bill would remove a special legal protection that allows medical residency programs to work together when hiring new doctors. Currently, these programs are exempt from certain competition laws that usually prevent companies from coordinating on hiring and salaries.
Medical students use a system called the Match to find their first jobs after graduation. Because of the current legal exemption, students cannot negotiate their pay or working conditions like people in other industries can.
The goal of this change is to force hospitals to compete for residents. This could lead to better pay, shorter hours, and improved working conditions for young doctors who are just starting their careers.
If this bill becomes law, it would take effect on March 18 of the following year. This date is significant because it is usually around Match Day, which is when medical students find out where they will be working.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
Apr 16, 2026Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Apr 16, 2026
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes, news coverage, or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Restoring Rights of Medical Residents Act
Bill NumberS 4336
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
