A bill introduced by Gov. Kim Reynolds to address Iowa's physician shortages and lack of rural healthcare accessibility was advanced by state lawmakers The Gazette reported Feb. 25.
The bill was advanced with bipartisan support from both chambers of the state legislature. The proposal includes:
- Ordering the state's Department of Health and Human Services to partner with University of Iowa Health Care and Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, to secure $150 million in federal funds to create 115 new medical residency slots in Iowa each year for the next four years
- Doubling funding for loan repayment programs
- Increasing Medicaid reimbursement for certain healthcare services
Once implemented, the governor projects that the legislation would result in 460 new physicians being trained in Iowa over four years.
Two companion bills were also approved by a three-member subcommittee in the state Senate and by a unanimous vote by the Health and Human Services Committee in the House.
"Access to quality healthcare is vital for Iowans in every corner of our state," Ms. Reynolds said in a statement. "I want to thank legislators for recognizing the need to increase the number of medical providers that call rural Iowa home by expanding medical residencies for physicians and incentivizing health care providers to practice in Iowa," she added.