As rural areas continue to face significant healthcare challenges, several federal initiatives are aiming to close the gap by increasing the number of primary care physicians (PCPs) in underserved regions. Programs like the National Health Service Corps, a division of the Health Resources and Services Administration, offer student debt relief to newly graduated medical students who choose to work in high-need areas.
Additionally, legislation introduced in March by the Senate would fund clinical rotations for med students in rural areas. Research has shown that physicians are more likely to work in areas where they trained, which historically have been predominantly urban.