U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Angus King (I-ME) have introduced the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (Community TEAMS) Act. This bipartisan bill is designed to address physician shortages by expanding clinical training opportunities for medical students in rural and medically underserved areas.
Senator Curtis stated, “Too many rural communities in Utah and across the country struggle to recruit and retain physicians. Our bipartisan legislation will help train the next generation of doctors while strengthening our rural health systems and improving families’ access to care.”
Senator King highlighted the challenges faced by residents in his state: “For many people in Maine, especially in rural parts of our state, accessing basic medical care can mean driving hours for an appointment. The Community TEAMS Act will help attract the next generation of health care workers from the ground up and improve access to care for families across Maine. That’s not just smart policy, that’s a people-first approach that will positively impact the health, safety and economy of our state.”
Laura Rosch, Dean at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Southern Utah Campus, expressed support for the measure. “As Dean of the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Southern Utah Campus in Ivins, UT, I strongly support the Community TEAMS Act,” said Rosch. “Our institution prioritizes community-based training, with 64% of DO schools requiring rural/underserved rotations, yet site availability remains a barrier for over three-quarters of programs. This bill’s HRSA grants would enable partnerships with FQHCs and RHCs, where 80% of hospital admissions occur but only 20% of training happens. Evidence shows students exposed to these settings are nearly three times more likely to practice in high-need areas, addressing workforce shortages and improving access for many—especially in our beautiful state of Utah. As a leader in osteopathic education and as a passionate board member of the Rural Health Association of Utah, I urge swift passage—it is essential for sustainable rural health.”
Robert A. Cain, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), also commented on the bill’s potential impact: “The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) applauds Senators Curtis and King for their leadership in expanding clinical training opportunities where they are needed most,” said Cain. “Medical students who train in underserved communities are nearly three times more likely to remain there to practice. The Community TEAMS Act would strengthen the physician workforce while helping communities address persistent access-to-care challenges.”
Rural areas continue to face obstacles when it comes to healthcare accessibility due to a lack of physicians willing or able to work outside urban centers. The proposed legislation aims to create new federal grants that support partnerships between medical schools and local healthcare providers so that students can complete their clinical training where it is most needed.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
