The proposed bill establishes the Arkansas Rural Preceptorship Program Act, aimed at addressing the shortage of physicians in rural areas of Arkansas. The Act outlines the creation of a program that will combine resources from public and private organizations to introduce medical students to rural communities. This initiative is designed to help students experience the benefits of rural living while training in medicine, ultimately assisting these communities in attracting new physicians. The program will provide funding for preceptorships in various healthcare facilities, including clinics and hospitals.

The Arkansas Rural Preceptorship Program will be administered by the Division of Higher Education, which will also manage the distribution of funds to participating institutions, including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The funding will reimburse these institutions for hosting medical students in the program for up to three weeks. The bill emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting rural healthcare and aims to enhance the medical workforce in underserved areas.