The Idaho Legislature rejected a $500,000 request from Gov. Brad Little to expand a physician recruitment program that aims to relieve the state's physician shortage, the Idaho Capital Sun reported March 12.
Earlier this year, Mr. Little asked for the money to expand a state program to encourage physicians to work in rural areas. The program provides $25,000 per year to physicians in federally recognized Health Professional Shortage Areas to repay their medical school debt. Physicians in Idaho may participate in the program for four years and receive a maximum of $100,000.
Idaho ranks 50th in the nation for physician-to-population ratio. The additional funding would have provided enough money for five additional physicians working in underserved communities, according to the report.