Idaho's Medical Education Shake-Up: A New Path?

Idaho is at a crossroads when it comes to medical education. The state is thinking about leaving a long-standing partnership with the University of Washington and three other states in the Western region. This partnership, known as WWAMI, has been around for 50 years and has allowed Idaho students to start their medical education journey at the University of Idaho before moving on to clinical training. The House Education Committee recently voted 9-5 to move forward with a bill that could change the course of this partnership. The bill, introduced by Rep. Dustin Manwaring, aims to withdraw Idaho from the WWAMI program over the next two years. This move is supported by House Speaker Mike Moyle. The decision to leave the WWAMI program is not without its reasons. Idaho has been seeking more seats for its students in the medical program, but the University of Washington has yet to act on this request. Additionally, there has been a lack of a signed agreement to ensure that state funds are not used for abortion training. The University of Washington has recently signed an amended contract that restricts abortion training for Idaho students. This move comes after a 2022 request to expand seats for Idaho students and a lack of a signed agreement to prohibit state funds from going toward abortion training as reasons for severing the relationship. The WWAMI program has been a lifeline for Idaho students, allowing them to complete their first two years of medical school at the University of Idaho. After that, they can finish their clinical training in Idaho or elsewhere, with the University of Washington School of Medicine coordinating the process. If Idaho decides to leave the WWAMI program, it will need to find new partners. The bill requires a new partnership with at least two medical schools in Idaho or the Mountain Time Zone. The University of Utah's program is highlighted as a potential new partner. Another option could be the private Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM). Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, is also planning to create a medical school, which could be eligible once established. Manwaring emphasized that Idaho does not have its own state-run medical school, and this move is a step towards addressing that need. However, he acknowledged that it won't be the only solution to meet the state's medical education demands. Currently, about 32% of the state funds for the program go to the University of Idaho, while 68% goes to the University of Washington. Under the proposed new agreement with Utah, that ratio would essentially swap, with more than 65% of the funds staying in Idaho and around 34% going out of state. The University of Idaho and the University of Utah have already signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the program. There is also an existing partnership with the state that reserves 10 seats for Idaho students in the University of Utah's medical program. However, those students never train at the University of Idaho. Dr. Benjamin Chan, assistant dean of admissions for the University of Utah School of Medicine, indicated that the Utah Legislature was preparing to introduce legislation to expand class sizes to create space for this partnership. Currently, there are 40 seats in the University of Washington's medical school reserved for Idaho students. The Idaho Legislature in 2022 passed a resolution asking the State Board of Education to seek five more seats for the WWAMI program by fiscal year 2025. However, this has not happened yet. The state is currently in fiscal year 2025, and the resolution also called for an additional five seats by fiscal year 2027.