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House committee introduces proposal to add 30 non‑WWAMI medical seats, orders board study
Summary
Rep. Dustin Manwaring introduced RS32594C1, a proposal to add 30 new non‑WWAMI medical school seats over three years and direct the State Board of Education to convene a working group to plan Idaho medical education expansion; committee voted to introduce the request with one recorded nay.
Representative Dustin Manwaring, Republican of Pocatello, told the House Education Committee that RS32594C1 would create 30 new non‑WWAMI seats in medical education beginning in the 2026–27 academic year and direct the State Board of Education to appoint a working group to develop a medical education plan.
The measure would add 10 non‑WWAMI seats the first year, and 10 more in each of the following two years; in the second year the bill would reallocate 10 seats away from the WWAMI partnership with the University of Washington, producing a net zero impact in one later year, Manwaring said. He estimated a fiscal‑year 2027 cost of $512,400 to fund the first 10 non‑WWAMI seats.
Manwaring said the working group would be instructed to address how to reduce Idaho’s physician shortage alongside graduate medical education, ensure program quality, maximize clinical placements and residency slots inside Idaho, and minimize conflicts among medical education partners.
Committee members asked whether withdrawing WWAMI seats could reduce Idaho students’ access to regional clinical sites that WWAMI has traditionally provided. Representative Mathias said he was concerned that removing WWAMI seats might mean Idaho students lose access to established WWAMI clinical sites in other states. Representative Manwaring acknowledged the concern and said the board and committee hearings would need to address the potential impact on third‑ and fourth‑year clerkships and clinical placements.
Multiple members said they supported increasing the total number of seats but were split on how to handle the WWAMI relationship. Representative Sauter voiced caution about reducing WWAMI seats before alternatives were firmly established. Representative Nelson said the top priority was ‘‘more docs, period’’ and that the proposal left room to restore seats if the working group recommended doing so. Representative Manwaring said the bill was intended as a compromise alternative to House Bill 176 and to send a ‘‘clear message’’ that Idaho seeks change.
The committee received a motion from Representative Dale Hawkins to introduce RS32594C1. The motion passed; Representative Slaughter recorded the sole nay.
The committee did not take final action on changes to WWAMI seats on the floor of the committee; rather it introduced RS32594C1 for further consideration and directed the formal working group process outlined in the request.
