Southern West Virginia News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) have introduced the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (TEAMS) Act. This act aims to address the healthcare disparities faced by rural and medically underserved communities by providing community-based training opportunities for medical students.

According to Congresswoman Miller, "Americans in rural communities deserve the same quality of health care treatment as patients in more populated areas." She believes that the Community TEAMS Act will equip medical students with the necessary skills to tackle medical challenges in rural areas and encourage them to practice medicine in underserved communities. By training medical students in these areas, the foundation for better healthcare in the United States is being laid.

Congresswoman Kuster echoes these sentiments, highlighting the desperate need for doctors and healthcare workers in rural communities. She emphasizes the importance of incentivizing medical students to move to underserved areas after graduation. Congresswoman Kuster states, "I am proud to help introduce the Community Training, Education, Access for Medical Students (TEAMS) Act to increase the number of medical training sites in our rural communities, prepare doctors for the unique challenges of serving high-need populations, and bring more well-trained physicians to underserved areas."

The Community TEAMS Act has garnered support from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO, expresses gratitude to Representatives Miller and Kuster for prioritizing medical student training in community-based settings. He emphasizes that this bill will have a significant impact on future osteopathic physicians and the patients they serve. The NRHA also commends the Representatives for creating new opportunities for medical students to gain valuable rural outpatient experience during their academic careers.

The HRSA grant program established by the Community TEAMS Act will fund medical school clinical rotations in rural and underserved areas. This is a crucial step as 75% of medical schools report concerns about having only a few training sites in rural communities across the country.

The introduction of the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students Act brings hope for improved healthcare access in rural and medically underserved communities. By providing medical students with the necessary training and incentivizing them to practice in these areas, the Community TEAMS Act aims to bridge the healthcare gap and ensure that all Americans receive quality healthcare, regardless of their geographic location.