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HR 9605

Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act

119th Congress Introduced by Glenn Grothman and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would move the accreditation oversight of foreign medical schools from Education to HHS, consolidating authority, staff, and funds under one department.

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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Bill Summary · HR 9605

Summary of HR 9605: Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act

Purpose and intent

  • The bill would transfer responsibility for managing accreditation of foreign medical schools from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
  • Overall aim: streamline oversight of foreign medical education and reduce bureaucratic fragmentation by centralizing accreditation functions under HHS.

Key provisions and changes

  • Transfer of functions (Sec. 2)

    • All functions related to the advisory panel known as the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (as established under section 102(a)(2)(B) of the Higher Education Act) would be moved from the Department of Education to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    • The transfer is to be carried out through an oral or implied reorganization “acting through the head of an Office” within HHS.

  • Authority to exercise transferred powers (Sec. 3)

    • The Secretary of HHS would have the same authorities under any relevant law as the Secretary of Education had immediately before the transfer date, for performing the transferred function.

  • Transfers of resources (Sec. 4)

    • Personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended funds related to the transferred functions would move from Education to HHS.
    • Unexpended funds must be used only for the original purposes for which they were authorized.

  • OMB oversight and due process (Sec. 5)

    • The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must ensure the transfer does not create a net increase in federal full-time equivalent (FTE) employees at affected agencies.
    • OMB can determine and direct incidental transfers or reorganizations necessary to implement the act, including terminating affairs of transferred entities and ensuring orderly disposition of personnel and assets.
    • OMB would certify compliance with the act to relevant Congressional committees.

  • Delegation authority (Sec. 6)

    • The HHS Secretary may delegate transferred functions to HHS officers and employees and can authorize redelegations, while retaining overall responsibility for administration of the function.

  • References and terminology (Sec. 7)

    • Any references to the Secretary of Education or the Department of Education in relation to the transferred function would be treated as references to the Secretary of HHS or the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively.

  • Savings provisions (Sec. 8)

    • Existing orders, determinations, rules, licenses, contracts, etc., that were in effect or issued prior to transfer would continue until modified or revoked under the law.
    • Pending proceedings and applications at Education would continue as if the act had not been enacted, with terms and conditions preserved unless modified.

  • Transition provisions (Sec. 9)

    • HHS may use Education personnel, assets, and funds for a reasonable period to facilitate orderly implementation.

  • Definitions (Sec. 10) and effective date (Sec. 11)

    • Defines “function” broadly to include duties, powers, responsibilities, and programs.
    • Effective date: generally six months after enactment, with early implementation allowed for the transfer to begin upon enactment but no later than the general effective date.

Affected parties

  • Primary: Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Individuals previously involved in or affected by the foreign medical education accreditation process, including members of the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation and related staff, would see changes in oversight and administrative management.
  • Potential implications for foreign medical schools seeking accreditation and for U.S. regulatory pathways related to international medical graduates (though the bill does not specify outcome-based changes to accreditation standards, only administrative transfer).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduction: July 9, 2026.
  • Movement through the House: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce (July 9, 2026).
  • Committee action: Reported amended and ordered to be reported by voice vote (amendment; July 15, 2026) with a 20-16 tally (party-line dynamics not stated).
  • Transition timing: General transfer effect six months after enactment; early transfer possible starting on enactment for activities related to the transfer, but not to exceed the general effective date.

Bottom line

HR 9605 would consolidate the federal oversight of foreign medical school accreditation under HHS, moving administrative authority, personnel, and funding from the Department of Education, with appropriations and programs affected by the transfer governed under specific transition and savings provisions to minimize disruption.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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