To Establish The Arkansas Rural Preceptorship Program Act.
Summary
SB504 establishes the Arkansas Rural Preceptorship Program Act within Title 6 of the Arkansas Code. The bill is aimed at addressing the shortage of physicians in rural parts of the state by creating a program that connects medical students with rural clinics, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and other healthcare facilities for short-term preceptorship placements. The stated legislative intent is to combine public and private resources, expose students to rural practice and community life, and help rural areas attract and retain physicians.
Under the bill, the Division of Higher Education would administer the program and distribute funding at a per diem rate to participating institutions to reimburse them for eligible medical student placements of up to three weeks. The bill makes several Arkansas medical schools and programs eligible to participate, including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, and the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Funding may come from either public or private sources, making the program a public-private partnership model.
Impact
SB504 adds a new subchapter to Arkansas Code Title 6 governing higher education and creates a state-administered rural medical preceptorship program. It gives the Division of Higher Education authority to administer the program and disburse per diem reimbursement funds to participating institutions, while expanding the state’s role in supporting rural healthcare workforce development. The bill affects medical schools, rural healthcare facilities, and students participating in clinical training placements, and it may influence how state and private dollars are used to support physician recruitment in underserved areas.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It passed the Senate on third reading unanimously, 33-0, and later passed the House on third reading by a wide margin, 79-12. There were no committee transcripts provided indicating significant debate, so the overall sentiment appears favorable and aligned around the goal of improving rural access to physicians through medical education incentives.
Contention
The main policy issue underlying the bill is whether state resources should be used to subsidize rural preceptorships through a public-private partnership, and how the program should be administered and funded. Any opposition likely centers on the use of public funds, the effectiveness of short-term student placements in solving rural physician shortages, or the selection of participating institutions and facilities. However, the recorded votes indicate that these concerns did not prevent strong bipartisan or broad legislative approval.