Valued Voice

The application period has opened for hospitals to apply for the latest allocation of Medicare-funded graduate medical education residency slots under Section 126 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. It is the fifth allocation from 1,000 residency positions authorized over five years by the provision. The slots are allocated at a rate no higher than 200 per year. Applications are due by March 31.

Wisconsin hospitals have received an additional allocation in only one of the four rounds completed so far. Two Wisconsin hospitals were awarded additional residency slots in the third round, making Wisconsin’s total less than would seem reasonable for a mainly rural state, and a state where medical schools have expanded to rural areas. WHA has and will continue to advocate with our WI Congressional Delegation urging them to ensure Wisconsin receives a fair distribution of these slots.

For questions, please reach out to WHA Senior Vice President Workforce and Clinical Practice Ann Zenk.