Iowa Governor Proposes Medical School Debt Forgiveness

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has proposed a plan to attract physicians to the state's underserved areas by forgiving medical school debt, according to an Omaha World Herald report.

Mr. Branstad offered several proposals to get physicians to Iowa. First, he proposed spending $2 million every year to pay of student loans for 20 students who will then work five years in rural areas of Iowa. He also wants to spend another $2 million each year to provide grants to hospitals so they can create more medical residencies. Finally, he wants to revise the state's medical lawsuit rules, which will theoretically make the state more attractive to physicians, according to the report.

The national physician shortage seems to already be affecting Iowa: It is ranked 40th among states in its ratio of physicians to residents, according to the report.

More Articles on the Physician Shortage:

Two Washington State Hospitals, Physician Group Pursue Residency Program
Rural Loan Repayment in Oregon Could Attract 96 Primary Care Providers
Survey: Physician Shortage Hits Critical Level in NY

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars