A5273 would establish a new license category to allow medical school graduates who have not completed an accredited residency to provide certain clinical services under supervision in medically underserved areas. The bill and committee amendments were debated at length.

Multiple physician groups and practicing educators opposed the proposal. Dr. Jonathan Torres, a family physician and former residency program director, said residency training is essential: "Medical school provides a lot of tools, but it doesn't really teach our graduates how to use them. When you finish medical school, you know your medications, you know your physical exam, you know diseases, but you have not generally had an opportunity to diagnose those problems, formulate treatments, follow them to resolution," he testified. The Medical Society of New Jersey and the Academy of Family Physicians argued that graduates without residency are not equipped to practice independently and warned about credentialing, malpractice, and hospital‑privileges issues.

Supporters framed the bill as a tool to increase clinician capacity in underserved communities, but witnesses and committee members questioned the scale of the problem and whether the proposed licensing category is the right solution. Assemblywoman Donlon proposed an amendment to require at least one year of postgraduate clinical practice before eligibility; the sponsor signaled openness to amendments and discussions on oversight and scope.

On a roll call, committee members voted to release the bill as amended for further consideration while several members said they would seek tighter guardrails. Sponsors and opponents agreed to continue working on language that would balance access in underserved areas with training and patient‑safety safeguards.