Congresswoman Carol Miller, alongside Congressmen Marc Veasey, Sam Graves, and Troy Carter, has reintroduced the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (TEAMS) Act. This legislation aims to establish a grant program through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to facilitate community-based training for medical students in rural and medically underserved areas.
Miller emphasized the importance of equitable healthcare access: “Americans in rural communities deserve the same quality of health care treatment as patients in more populated areas.” She highlighted that the act would enable medical students to adapt to unique challenges in rural settings.
Veasey noted the need for trained professionals in areas like Texas: “By expanding medical training opportunities, we can improve health outcomes and make sure every patient…has access to high-quality care.”
Graves underscored the necessity of on-the-job training in rural clinical environments: “Being a doctor in a rural area provides a unique set of challenges.”
Carter stressed the bipartisan effort’s goal of addressing healthcare workforce shortages: “This bill will expand clinical training in rural and underserved areas—where care is essential.”
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and National Rural Health Association (NRHA) have expressed their support for this initiative.
Robert A. Cain from AACOM stated, “We need more medical school rotations in rural communities,” highlighting that such exposure increases the likelihood that students will return as physicians.
James W. Nemitz from WVSOM praised Miller’s leadership: “Rep. Carol Miller recognizes the importance of providing medical students with clinical training in community-based settings.”
Danielle Turnipseed from AAMC acknowledged its significance: “This emphasis on the workforce is important and necessary now more than ever.”
Alan Morgan from NRHA remarked on its impact on recruitment: “Exposure to rural community-based settings [is] key to recruiting and retaining a robust physician workforce.”
The HRSA grant program under this act aims to fund clinical rotations specifically targeting these underserved regions. Currently, 75% of medical schools report limited training sites available in rural areas.
