House advances funding to expand residency and fellowship slots to shore up physician shortages

Representative Malloy presented a substitute to HB 295 on Feb. 16 proposing grants and one-time funding to help institutions start or expand medical residency and fellowship programs, including psychiatry fellowships aimed at correctional facilities.

Malloy said Utah trains medical students but loses many graduates during residency placement; the substitute would supply start-up funds and require institutions to describe sustainability plans for new residency positions. The sponsor and colleagues discussed federal funding pathways (Medicare) that often sustain residency slots after start-up.

Questions from the floor addressed whether participants would have service commitments and how sponsoring institutions would sustain programs. Malloy said fellowships tied to the Department of Corrections would include commitments and that other residency details would be worked out with funding agencies.

The House adopted the substitute and transferred HB 295 to the Senate for further consideration.