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Bill would fund residency slots dedicated to international medical graduates; sponsors say it addresses residency bottleneck
Summary
Senate Bill 5226 would create a state grant program to fund physician residency positions dedicated to international medical graduates and requires most funded positions to be filled by IMGs, the committee heard Jan. 31.
Senate Bill 5226, sponsored by Sen. Tawanna Nobles, received a staff briefing and public testimony on Jan. 31. The bill would establish a grant program to fund physician residency positions dedicated to international medical graduates (IMGs) operating under a waiver from the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
Under the bill, residency programs receiving funding must meet selection criteria established by the Washington Medical Commission, operate under NRMP waiver authority when necessary, register with the commission and fill at least 75 percent of accepted residency positions with IMGs. The commission would develop selection processes, create an advisory committee, and provide biennial reports to the Legislature beginning in 2027.
Sen. Nobles framed the proposal as a targeted solution to both the state—s physician shortage and the residency bottleneck that leaves qualified graduates without spots. "At the same time, we have an underutilized resource, International Medical Graduates or IMGs," she said, and noted the program would focus on high-demand specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.
Testimony from IMG advocates and many providers supported SB 5226 as a necessary complement to the other IMG-related bills. Mohammed Khalifa called residency alone inadequate to solve the broader shortage and urged adding slots. Micah Matthews of the Washington Medical Commission said the commission can implement the program, relayed that most residency programs contacted during the work group indicated interest, and said funding could be deferred while the commission satisfies NRMP requirements if appropriations are not immediately available.
The hearing included supportive remarks from the Washington State Medical Association with a caveat that residency is an important training requirement; WSMA said it would work with sponsors to refine grant details. No vote was taken during the hearing. Committee staff said a fiscal note is available.
