Idaho legislators have voted to put new conditions on Idaho medical students who pay in-state tuition while attending two out-of-state institutions.
The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that applies to the students who attend the University of Washington and University of Utah medical schools. The state pays part of their tuition. The legislation requires them to sign a contract with the state stipulating that they will practice medicine for at least four years in Idaho within a year of receiving their medical degree or finishing a post-graduation medical residency or fellowship program. Otherwise they'll be required to pay back some or all of what the state of Idaho paid on their behalf.
It’s a similar requirement to that imposed by two of the other states in the University of Washington’s five-state WWAMI [whammy] program, Alaska and Wyoming. Sen. Robert Blair (R-Nez Perce County) says those states are reaping the benefits in terms of higher percentage of students returning to their home states.
“Alaska, 60% return. Wyoming at 67.53% return. They have the same statutes, similar to House Bill 718 and have had that in effect for years, Alaska since 1999 and Wyoming since 2011," he said.
Montana also has a similar law, but Blair says it’s too early to assess its results.
Idaho has 10 students who attend the University of Utah med school and 160 who attend the U-W med school. Blair says the state outlay to help students financially is about nine million a year.
WWAMI Idaho leaders testified that many students leave the state after graduation because they can't find any required post-graduation residency programs in their specified fields. Medical education officials say one of the strongest indicators of where doctors choose to practice is where their residency programs are located. WWAMI officials say the state should work to create more medical residency programs in Idaho.
Idaho lawmakers also approved a resolution urging a future legislature to fund another five medical students each year, beginning in 2025. Others said the state should consider creating its own medical school.
