Wicker-led bipartisan bill addresses physician shortage in rural, underserved areas

To help close the physician shortage in America’s rural areas and medically underserved communities, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) recently sponsored a bipartisan bill that would create a nationwide grant program to increase the number of community-based training opportunities for medical students to work in such areas.

“We must increase the available training opportunities for medical students in rural and underserved areas,” Sen. Wicker said on Tuesday. 

The Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (TEAMS) Act of 2024, S. 3968, which Sen. Wicker introduced on March 19 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), would operate under the Health Resources and Services Administration. 

Grants would be awarded to eligible partnerships for a period of up to five years, and partners would be required to submit a plan for sustaining these clinical rotations after federal support subsides, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“My legislation would place medical students in rural areas so they can get exposure and experience. The hope is that through this exposure, medical students will stay in rural areas post-medical school,” said Sen. Wicker. “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.”

Myriad supporters of the bill include the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, the National Rural Health Association, and the Association of American Medical Colleges, among numerous others.

The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

“I’m supporting the Community TEAMS 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,” Sen. Casey said.