Legislative panel hears requests to expand Idaho medical residencies; analysts cite high retention and workforce impact

Committee analysts and residency program directors told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that expanding in-state graduate medical education (GME) is a key lever to increase Idaho’s physician workforce and that residents provide significant clinical capacity while training.

Kevin Campbell, budget and policy analyst for the Legislative Services Office, said Idaho residency programs are structured as partnerships among sponsoring hospitals, health systems and the state; historically the state’s share of the per-resident cost was roughly one-third. “The relationship is asked to contribute a portion of the cost of a residency, which in 2026 is a minimum of $210,000 per year,” Campbell said. He told the committee Eastern Idaho Medical Residency (EIMR) has 56 residents and that residency spending is paid as trustee and benefit payments to sponsoring institutions.

Why it matters: Idaho ranks among the lowest states in physicians per capita; analysts told the committee that training physicians in-state increases the likelihood they remain in Idaho. Campbell cited American Medical Association findings…