; and (2) by inserting after section 861 the following: 862. Grants to support the development and expansion of physician assistant education programs at rural-serving institutions of higher education (a) Grants (1) In general The Secretary is authorized to award grants on a competitive basis to a rural-serving institution of higher education or a consortium of such institutions— (A) to increase, for students from rural areas, enrollment and graduation rates for postbaccalaureate physician assistant education programs; and (B) to train physician assistants in rural areas through the development of new physician assistant education programs and the expansion of existing physician assistant education programs in rural areas. (2) Duration A grant awarded under this section shall be awarded for a period of not longer than 3 years. (3) Limitations A rural-serving institution of higher education or a consortium of such institutions shall not receive more than one grant under this section. (b) Applications (1) In general Each rural-serving institution of higher education or consortium of such institutions desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applications that demonstrate the most potential and propose the most promising and innovative approaches for— (A) creating new physician assistant education programs in rural areas; (B) increasing the number of physician assistants that practice medicine in rural areas; (C) meeting the employment needs of regional employers of physician assistants with graduates of physician assistant education programs at rural-serving institutions of higher education