Community TEAMS Act of 2026

This legislation amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a new grant program aimed at increasing the number of physicians in rural and medically underserved communities. The program authorizes the Director to award grants to eligible consortia to expand community-based training opportunities and clinical rotations for medical students in these high-need areas. This initiative seeks to facilitate long-term, sustainable physician practice by providing students with practical experience in underserved settings, thereby encouraging them to remain in these communities after graduation. Eligible entities must be a consortium of medical schools (osteopathic or allopathic) and healthcare facilities such as rural health clinics, Federally qualified health centers, or other facilities in medically underserved communities. These grants, lasting one to five years, require applicants to submit comprehensive plans detailing project descriptions, sustainability, and how the initiative will improve access to quality healthcare services for local populations. The bill also includes conforming changes to integrate this new program into the Public Health Service Act and extends its authorization through fiscal years 2026 to 2030.