Bipartisan and bicameral support for the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (Community TEAMS) Act, H.R. 7258/S. 3968, continues to grow as Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) recently joined as cosponsors following AACOM outreach. Help us continue the momentum to expand clinical training opportunities for all third- and fourth-year medical students, especially in rural and medically underserved areas.

Take Action!

• On August 28, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its fiscal year (FY) 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule, with most provisions taking effect on October 1, 2024.
• AACOM submitted comments to the FY25 IPPS proposed rule in June.
• CMS finalized distribution plans for residency slots under Section 4122 of the CAA, 2023, and Section 126 of the CAA, 2021.
• CMS chose not to finalize “new” residency program requirement proposals due to lack of comment consensus, and instead, issued another request for information (RFI) on what constitutes a new residency program. Comments are due on October 15. More information can be found on this page under "Program Newness Request for Information."
• For detailed information on the final rule, review the CMS Fact Sheet and a summary from the National Rural Health Association.

• AACOM recently submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Education (ED)'s proposed rules on distance education, return of title IV funds and the federal TRIO programs. AACOM also signed an American Council on Education comment letter to ED on these issues.
• These proposed rules followed negotiated rulemaking committee sessions held earlier this year where AACOM nominee Erika Linden served as the primary negotiator for private, non-profit institutions of higher education.
• ED must finalize the rule by November 1, 2024, for the regulations to take effect on July 1, 2025.
• The proposed rules on the remaining topics from the negotiated rulemaking committee—state authorization, accreditation and cash management—are expected to be released in 2025.

• Fourth-year medical students can apply now for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program (LRP).
• The S2S LRP offers up to $120,000 in loan repayment funds to eligible borrowers who agree to provide primary healthcare services in Health Professional Shortage Areas for three years after graduation.
• Students should check their eligibility for the Maternity Care Enhancement Award—an additional $40,000 available to physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology or family medicine physicians who practice obstetrics on a regular basis.
• The NHSC is hosting a webinar on September 12, 2024, from 2-3 PM ET, and applications are due by November 7, 2024.

HRSA Issues New Funding Opportunities for THCGME Program: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued two notices of funding opportunities for the expansion of existing approved residency programs (HRSA-25-091) and the establishment of newly approved residency programs (HRSA-25-077) through the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program. Learn more.

Funding Opportunity: Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program: HRSA is awarding up to $800,000 for the Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program to improve healthcare in rural areas by providing targeted, in-depth technical assistance to rural hospitals within communities struggling to maintain healthcare services. Apply by September 30, 2024.

NIH Seeking Applications for HEAL KIDS Research Initiative: NIH HEAL KIDS is seeking applications to conduct interdisciplinary team-based research projects that combine clinical research, novel/cutting-edge technologies and measurement science to help improve our understanding of primary and secondary chronic pain conditions in children and adolescents. Apply by November 8, 2024.

HRSA Hosts Virtual THCGME Primary Care Residency Fair: Interested parties are invited to attend the upcoming THCGME Primary Care Residency Fair on September 25, 2024, from 6-8 PM ET. Register.

Council on Graduate Medical Education Meeting Rescheduled: The Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME) has rescheduled its two-day public meeting to be a one-day meeting on September 12, 2024. The meeting will be held by teleconference and/or a video conference platform. Information about COGME, agendas and materials for this meeting can be found on the COGME website.

CMS Accepting Virtual Concepts for Rural Health Hackathon: The CMS Innovation Center is accepting virtual submissions for its 2024 Rural Health Hackathon. Apply by 11:59 PM ET on September 9, 2024.

Call for Reviewers for HRSA Grant Applications: HRSA is looking for additional grant reviewers, especially those with expertise in rural and tribal healthcare needs. Reviews are virtual and you can register online.

NIH Re-Envisioning U.S. Postdoctoral Research Training and Career Progression Within the Biomedical Research Enterprise: NIH is issuing a follow-up RFI to gather public input on the implementation of specific recommendations developed by the Advisory Committee to the Director Postdoctoral Working Group. Submit comments by 11:59 PM ET on October 23, 2024.