S. 975: Expanding Medical Education Act

The **Expanding Medical Education Act** aims to enhance medical education in underserved areas of the United States by establishing a grant program. Here's a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Grant Program Overview

The bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to higher education institutions or their consortia for the following purposes:

• Establishment, improvement, or expansion of medical schools or schools of osteopathic medicine.
• Development of branch campuses for these medical schools.

Priority for Grants

When selecting recipients for these grants, priority will be given to institutions that:

• Plan to establish a medical or osteopathic school or branch campus in an area with no existing similar institution.
• Focus on areas designated as medically underserved or as health professional shortage areas.
• Serve as minority-serving institutions or collaborate with such institutions.

Use of Grant Funds

Institutions receiving these grants must utilize the funds for several purposes, which may include:

• Recruiting and retaining students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups in medicine.
• Implementing and expanding curricula that focus on care for rural and underserved populations.
• Planning and constructing new facilities or branches of medical schools.
• Hiring qualified faculty and staff, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.
• Supporting other educational programs and infrastructure improvements at the medical schools.

Reporting Requirements

Institutions that receive grants must submit annual reports detailing their activities and outcomes, while the Secretary will provide a summary report to Congress every five years on the program's overall impact.

Definitions and Authorizations

The bill clarifies terms such as "branch campus," "medically underserved community," and "first generation college student," ensuring clear understanding for implementation. It also authorizes funding as necessary to carry out the program.

Relevant Companies

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