Iowa lawmakers approved a bill requiring at least 80% of students admitted to the University of Iowa’s medical school are residents in the state or have attended an in-state university for their undergraduate degree, The Daily Iowan reported April 24.
The bill passed the state Senate April 14 and is now on the desk of Gov. Kim Reynolds, awaiting her signature.
The bill, which also applies to dentists, was crafted with the aim of getting more physicians trained at the university who will also stay and practice within the state. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, Iowa ranks 44th among states in the U.S. for physicians per capita.
State Sen. Mike Klimesh voiced his approval of the bill to the Iowan. He said that accepting more Iowans into the university’s medical programs will provide the state with more physicians who are interested in practicing in more rural areas.
However, state Sen. Sarah Garriott voiced concerns that the minimum requirement would result in the university lowering standards to meet that 80% marker.
“I think it’s entirely possible to encourage, incentivize participation of specific groups, but I do get concerned when there are hardline numbers,” she said. According to an analysis from the Legislative Services Agency, approximately 70% of students at Iowa’s colleges of medicine and dentistry are already in-state residents. Mr. Klimesh said the 80% number would not push the university to lower their admission requirements, but would offer admission to Iowans before out-of-state students of the same qualifications.
Ms. Gariott countered that there are better ways to incentivize people to stay in the state, including ensuring physicians are paid adequately for their services. She also referenced another proposed bill that would criminalize the administration of mRNA vaccines as a potential deterrent for young physicians.
“We need the legislatures to stay in their lane and stop meddling with healthcare when they don’t know anything about it,” she said.
