GME Budget Clears First Hurdle

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) approved the health education portion of the State Board of Education’s proposed FY 24 budget. This budget line item includes funding for undergraduate medical education and graduate medical education programs, as well as dental and veterinary programs.

Unlike prior years, advocacy for increasing GME funding was relatively straightforward as the committee approved Governor Little’s proposed budget request of $824,000. This includes $600,000 for 10 new medical residents to continue implementing the 10-year Graduate Medical Education expansion plan. In addition, there is also a $2,000 per resident funding increase for existing seats.

IMA thanks Governor Little and members of JFAC for their support of this critically important physician workforce program. However, this is only the initial step, so we will continue to keep you posted as the bill moves through the full House and Senate.

International Medical Graduates with Special Circumstances

(IMG-SCs)

Idaho continues to rank near the bottom nationally for doctors per capita. For years, and most recently with the 10-year strategic plan to expand Graduate Medical Education (GME), IMA has worked with stakeholders across the state to improve our national standing. While the 10-year plan has been an overwhelming success - Idaho ranks near the top 5 nationally in retention of graduating residents - the number of physicians being trained has not been able to keep up with the state's growth.

Acknowledging this struggle, Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) and Rep. Lance Clow (R-Twin Falls) recognized Idaho also has unique resources as a national leader in refugee resettlement, and worked with Dr. Scott Smith, IMA leaders, and other stakeholders to introduce S 1094.

S 1094 would expand temporary licensure to International Medical Graduates with Special Circumstances (IMG-SCs) - those relocated as refugees, asylees, or parolees with I-94 or equivalent documentation - and create an expedited pathway to practice in Idaho.

To qualify, the individual would need to be an asylee, parolee, or a refugee graduate of a medical school recognized by the Idaho Board of Medicine, have at least three years of medical practice in their specialty, have a lapse of no greater than five years between active medical practice and application for the license, and agree to practice in a health professional shortage area for at least three years.

Introduced on February 20 and passed unanimously in the Senate on March 2, S 1094 attempts to help Idaho with its physician shortage while also supporting those displaced with the ability to continue their careers.

The IMA Lobby Team will continue to advocate for S 1094 as it moves through the House. We applaud Dr. Smith, Sen. Wintrow, Rep. Clow, and all other stakeholders for their hard work on this much-needed bipartisan legislation.