We all have the same expectation. When we need health care, we want it as soon as possible. We dont want medical appointments delayed for months because the physician has too many patients. If Utah doesnt do something soon, the problem of deferred medical care is going to get worse. Much worse.
Utah needs more physicians. The Association of American Medical Colleges has found that only three states will have fewer physicians per capita than the Beehive State.
The physician shortage will intensify when national insurance coverage becomes effective in 2014. The large bubble of baby boomers reaching age 65 will compound the stress on the states health care providers.
Something can be done to help ensure accessible health coverage. Increase the class size at the University of Utah Medical School. The University of Utah is a steady pipeline of health care providers for all of us.
Class size at the School of Medicine is currently 82 students. It was 102 prior to the recession. It could be expanded to 122 students at a cost of $12.2 million, or restored to 102 students for $6.5 million. Utah-trained physicians have a proven record of staying in Utah. Two-thirds of the physicians here trained at the University of Utah either in medical school, a residency or a fellowship.
Legislators considered expanding the Us medical school class during the 2012 session, but after the recent recession, many pent-up needs existed and extra funding for expanded physician training was unavailable. It typically takes seven to 10 years to fully train a new physician: four years in medical school, three to five years in residency, and one to two years in a fellowship for subspecialty training. Because of the time lag, the effects of the medical school class size reduction have not yet been felt by the Beehive States health care consumers.
An additional $6 million or $12 million is a hefty investment. Total state funding for the School of Medicine comprises $26.5 million, or about 4 percent of the annual budget. The average state support across public medical schools in the U.S. is 14 percent.
Bumping up tuition is not the answer. In-state tuition at the medical school is above the national average at $29,652 per year. Out-of-state tuition is more than $55,000 per year.
Some in the state are disenchanted because a child or neighbor was not accepted into the Us medical school, but acceptance is extremely difficult. Last year, 1,500 applicants vied for 82 slots, a ratio of 18:1. At least 75 percent of the medical school class each year are Utah residents. For the current class, thats 61 of 82 slots. Eight students are from Idaho under an agreement with that state. Most out-of-state students must show strong Utah ties, represent an underserved population, or enter the M.D./Ph.D. program.
Consumers spend a sizable chunk of their income on medical care, and the availability of well-trained physicians is essential. Medical payments now account for about 16 percent of total consumer spending in this country more than food and clothing combined, which make up about 11 percent, or housing, about 15 percent.
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Utah needs more doctors