Although some have advocated for Idaho creating its own medical school, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter (R) disagreed and recommended the state expand its number of seats from 35 to 40 in the multi-state medical school program in which it participates, according to the Idaho State Journal.
Idaho currently participates in the University of Washington-based WWAMI program — an acronym for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.
Following Gov. Otter's State of the State address Jan. 11, Idaho Senate President Pro Tempore Brent Hill (R) said he also supports the WWAMI program.
"It would be almost impossible to create our own medical school in a short period of time, at least that has that [WWAMI] quality," Senate President Pro Tempore Hill said Jan. 11 after Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's State of the State address. "So in the meantime at least, the WWAMI program is excellent, particularly as we expand access through the programs that are here."
He added that he has a personal connection to the medical school program: "I have a son who went through the WWAMI program, and I know how excellent it is," he said.
Others — like Sen. Roy Lacey (D) — believe while WWAMI is a quality program, Idaho will eventually need to build its own medical school. "I think that down the line, in 10 or so years ... we'll probably have an Idaho medical school that is accredited and that does comply with all the requirements that we would want," he said.