The bill transfers functions relating to foreign medical education accreditation from the Department of Education to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This includes personnel, assets, and funds. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget ensures no net employee increase and makes necessary function determinations. Legal documents and proceedings are to continue, and existing suits and administrative procedures remain applicable. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to use resources for a transition period. The bill takes effect 6 months after enactment. Functions can be transferred early.
Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act
This bill transfers specified functions relating to accreditation for foreign medical schools from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Specifically, the bill transfers to HHS all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation. (This committee evaluates the standards of accreditation applied to foreign medical schools and determines the comparability of those standards to standards applied to U.S. medical schools. On November 18, 2025, ED announced an interagency agreement with HHS for HHS to provide subject matter expertise, coordinate meetings, and manage technology systems to assist ED in managing and overseeing this committee.)
Additionally, the bill transfers to HHS all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill.
The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at HHS or ED. Further, OMB must certify compliance with the bill to specified congressional committees.
The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's enactment.
