WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 368

MEDICAL EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding medical education programs supported by Idaho state funds.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Idaho will expand state-supported non-WWAMI medical school seats and require most training stay in-state, to reduce physician shortages and coordinate with residency programs.

Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2025 Session Law Chapter 257 Effective: 04/02/2025
#collegesanduniversities #education #healthcareprofessionsandproviders #medical #students #veterinarymedicine
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 368

Summary — H 368 (Session Law Chapter 257) — Medical Education (effective 04/02/2025)

Purpose

H 368 directs Idaho to expand and better manage medical education seats supported with state funds beyond Idaho’s existing participation in the WWAMI (University of Washington) program. The bill aims to increase in‑state medical education capacity, maximize coursework and clinical placements in Idaho, and coordinate medical education with graduate medical education (residency) to address the state’s physician shortage.

Key provisions

  • Expansion of non‑WWAMI, state‑supported medical seats:

    • Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, the State Board of Education will increase reserved slots for Idaho medical education programs other than WWAMI by 10 students per incoming class each year until that non‑WWAMI incoming class size reaches 30 students (i.e., 10 → 20 → 30 over successive years).
    • For all but 20 of the non‑WWAMI students per incoming class, the medical education coursework and a majority of clinical placements must be physically located in Idaho and, as amended, "located in and managed by the state of Idaho."
    • Beginning in 2027–2028, the number of reserved WWAMI slots for Idaho students may be reduced by at least 10 students (to allow offsetting of costs/slots).

  • Working group and medical education plan:

    • The bill (as amended) creates a working group (up to nine members) to develop a statewide medical education plan addressing both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) education. Required members include two legislators (one House appointee by the Speaker, one Senate appointee by the President Pro Tem), one appointee each from the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, Idaho State University, and the University of Idaho, with remaining members appointed by the State Board of Education.
    • The working group must deliver the plan to the Governor and Legislature by January 2, 2026.
    • Required plan elements include strategies to: reduce Idaho’s physician shortage in conjunction with residency programs; ensure program quality; maximize state‑spent medical education funds and in‑state clinical placements; increase residency placements in Idaho; and minimize conflicts among program partners and between students in differing programs.

  • Residency and student classification:

    • The bill amends Section 33‑3717B (residency requirements) to clarify who qualifies as an Idaho resident for tuition purposes for certain graduate/professional students (e.g., Idaho undergrad graduates who resided in Idaho during their final 12 months and enroll in grad/professional programs within 36 months).

  • Emergency clause:

    • The act includes an emergency declaration; it took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature (effective 04/02/2025).

Fiscal impact

  • The fiscal note estimates General Fund costs of approximately $512,400 in FY2027 to add the first 10 non‑WWAMI seats and another $512,400 in FY2028 for the next 10 seats unless those costs are offset by a corresponding reduction of WWAMI seats. Future expansions require appropriation or further legislation.

Who is affected

  • State Board of Education (implementation and appointments)
  • Idaho public higher education institutions (Idaho State University, University of Idaho) and the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • WWAMI program allocation for Idaho students
  • Medical students (current and future cohorts) and clinical training sites (hospitals, clinics) within Idaho
  • Idaho’s healthcare workforce planners and residency programs

Timeline / procedural notes

  • Introduced: March 5, 2025
  • Passed House and Senate (amended) March 2025
  • Delivered to Governor April 1, 2025; signed April 2, 2025
  • Effective date: April 2, 2025
  • Working group plan due: January 2, 2026
  • Seat increases begin: academic year 2026–2027 (10 seats), with further increases until reaching 30 non‑WWAMI seats.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.