Leaders of the Iowa Medical Society say the state faces a workforce crisis in the health care sector, as a doctor shortage is looming in the near future. Dr. Christina Taylor is president of the Iowa Medical Society’s board of directors.
Iowa already ranks 45th in the nation for doctor-to-patient ratio.
Dr. Gerard Clancy is a clinical professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine and one of five deans at the University of Iowa’s College of Medicine. He says the number of physicians, nationally, does not match demand.
Iowa Medical Society CEO Steve Churchill says the group will ask the 2025 Iowa Legislature to provide state funding to significantly increase the residency slots for medical students at Iowa hospitals and academic centers.
The group will be asking lawmakers to fund creation of 200 more residency slots — at a cost of 20 million dollars a year. The Iowa Medical Society will also recommend expanding state programs that erase college debt for physicians who choose to practice in Iowa after getting their medical license. The Iowa Medical Society leaders discussed the state’s physician shortage during a weekend appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS.
