WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (H.E.L.P.) Subcommittee on Children & Families, and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., introduced the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (T.E.A.M.S.) Act to increase training opportunities for medical students in rural, underserved communities.
The Community T.E.A.M.S. Act would create a nationwide grant program for medical schools and community-based clinics to fund training opportunities in rural, underserved communities for medical students, increasing hands-on experience with unique health challenges facing such Pennsylvania communities and encouraging medical students to serve there after graduation.
“One of the most critical investments we can make in our underserved communities is to provide quality health care. That requires medical professionals who understand the health challenges these communities face and possess the necessary experience to help patients through them,” said Casey. “I’m supporting the Community T.E.A.M.S. Act because it’ll help more of our future doctors gain invaluable experience supporting underserved communities and working towards bridging the gaps in health outcomes.”
Wicker said, “We must increase the available training opportunities for medical students in rural and underserved areas. My legislation would place medical students in rural areas so they can get exposure and experience,” Wicker said. “The hope is that through this exposure, medical students will stay in rural areas post-medical school. An added side effect is that this provides some relief to providers while medical students are training there. This is a win-win-win for everyone.”
The Community Training, Education and Access for Medical Students (T.E.A.M.S.) Act would:
Provide eligible medical institutions with the opportunity to apply for grants under the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).
Prepare more students for the unique challenges of serving high-risk communities after graduation.
Increase the number of medical training sites in rural communities.
