WSU Medical School bill approved by Senate

[CougPatrol]

This could end up being one of the most historic days for WSU, as the State Legislature finally passed a bill paving the way for a new WSU Med School in Spokane.

Now, this won't change our geographic challenges on the field of play, but it will unquestionably elevate the academic reputation of our University, and perhaps most importantly of all, it will raise the stature of WSU in the eyes of the Inland NW, Northern ID, Montana, and even Wyoming.

I've been in medical device sales for 25+ years and have worked closely with all of the area hospitals. For me, this is one of the biggest announcements for our University that I can remember.


WSU med school bill passes

 

[Coug1990]

Originally posted by CougPatrol:
This could end up being one of the most historic days for WSU, as the State Legislature finally passed a bill paving the way for a new WSU Med School in Spokane.

Now, this won't change our geographic challenges on the field of play, but it will unquestionably elevate the academic reputation of our University, and perhaps most importantly of all, it will raise the stature of WSU in the eyes of the Inland NW, Northern ID, Montana, and even Wyoming.

I've been in medical device sales for 25+ years and have worked closely with all of the area hospitals. For me, this is one of the biggest announcements for our University that I can remember.

I agree CP. This is great news for our university. It will also be great news on down the road for donations to the school.

 

[bamacoug2]

Why was this opposed by some? Being from out of state, I have not watched that close, but I am very happy about this. Just curious to why it didn't pass unanimously.

 

[Coug1990]

Originally posted by bamacoug2:
Why was this opposed by some? Being from out of state, I have not watched that close, but I am very happy about this. Just curious to why it didn't pass unanimously.

The uw was fighting this hard. Med schools equals money and prestige. The uw wanted to be able to expand their medical school and also keep WSU down.

 

[dgibbons]

Originally posted by Coug1990:

Originally posted by bamacoug2:
Why was this opposed by some? Being from out of state, I have not watched that close, but I am very happy about this. Just curious to why it didn't pass unanimously.

The uw was fighting this hard. Med schools equals money and prestige. The uw wanted to be able to expand their medical school and also keep WSU down.

You could (reasonably) argue that expanding one medical school would cost less than building another from the ground up. But a lot of the infrastructure is already in place in Spokane, and the lobbying efforts have been many years in the making.

 

[CougPatrol]

Originally posted by bamacoug2:
Why was this opposed by some? Being from out of state, I have not watched that close, but I am very happy about this. Just curious to why it didn't pass unanimously.

The first thing that needed to occur was the amendment of a creepy statute established in 1917 that divided the disciplines offered by UW and WSU. UW was awarded Medicine, Law, Engineering, Fisheries, etc. and WSU got Agriculture, Vet Medicine, economics related to agronomy & rural life (ie: Land Grant stuff).

UW established their medical school in the 1940's and have essentially benefited from a legal "non-compete" as a result of the 1917 statute that prevented any other school in the state from opening a medical school.

Now, to be fair, the UW has done a Hell of a job with their Medical School. It's one of the best in the world, and for many decades it served our 5 state region more than adequately. Over the past 20 or so years, population in the NW has expanded to point where UWMC has been unable to turn out enough doctors to keep pace, and the need for a 2nd medical school became apparent.

The reason it didn't pass unanimously is because most of the dissenters either have ties to the UW faculty and/or they believe that it would be more cost effective to simply expand UW's program as opposed to starting a new one. Thankfully though, the vast majority of voters understand that, given the infrastructure investment that's already in place in Spokane, it makes sense for our Region to have a 2nd medical school; particularly one that is rooted in the inland NW where the greatest medical provider shortfall exists.

It's a monumental win for our University. It not only bolsters the academic prestige of Washington State University, but I think more significantly, it's going to help do something that we've been unable to figure out....win the hearts and minds of the residents in Eastern WA, Northern ID, Montana, etc.; the people we need to fill our stadium and speak highly of WSU.

Soon there will be WSUMD clinics thoughout the region, advertisements about patient care, saving lives, etc.

 

[very old coug]

I agree that this is one of the biggest announcements for WSU in decades. I am a retired physician who attended WSC now WSU for my Premed and UW for medical school. I am fully aware of the fight UW put up to keep this from happening. It happened mainly because of Dr Floyd and all his hard work in getting this project to this point. Health care in our state especially the rural areas will be markedly improved with a medical school in Spokane.

 

[ttowncoug]

UW had years to expand their school, but choose not too.

 

[425cougfan]

Big news and a great thing if a WSU med school actually happens. It's great for the people of the state and particularly good for WSU.

One note of caution, though -- all this does is amend that old statute providing that UW has exclusive domain on establishing a medical school in Washington. The bill doesn't do anything to fund the creation of a WSU med school. It's possible that the legislature doesn't come up with the funds this year. It's even possible that the legislature provides the funding that would have gone to WSU's med school to UW to expand its WWAMI program in Spokane. That would be a huge FU to WSU, though, and I doubt strongly that it happens.

 

[SCglory]

This is great news. It is finally an acknowledgement that the "dry side" (that goes from the Cascades to the 100th Meridian) has its own needs. Medical staff, curricula/challenges in rural medicine, philosophies of care, would all be better served for that vast area by WSU and its own med school, than by some satellite whose loyalty goes to the other side of the mountains. Huge hurdle cleared!!

 

[SCglory]

I'm sure just recording the districts of those opposed to it would be very revealing.

 

[Coug95man2]

This is huge, no question. But SC, when you say, "own needs" it's kinda interesting timing. Had to go to the doctor recently. He's leaving his practice because the paperwork and office needs are getting so crazy. He's opening his own office and instead of using ObamaCare/insurance companies, he's starting a program that is $26 a month that patients pay directly to him, and in exchange, patients get unlimited office visits. When you want an appt., you call and you're in. EDIT: No co-pays. There's more details but thats the overall gist.As a person, you have to evaluate if you want to take the financial penalty of not having ObamaCare or if you want a high deductible to avoid (in case of emergency) that penalty but the medical field is changing fast "on the ground". WSU will be coming in, in the middle of it all. Nothing here but just interesting timing of your comment and my experience. Crazy how it's all coming back around to individual contact and one-on-one with a doc… Just like it used to be. From what I've heard, this concept is moving fast through the MD world.
This post was edited on 3/12 7:29 AM by Coug95man2

 

[bamacoug2]

Got it. Thanks everyone for the input. Clears it up. I am very excited to see what this will do for WSU.

 

[SCglory]

this is in Baker? (or the general area). That's interesting....

 

[Coug95man2]

Just talked to a gal from CO… Her doctor is doing the same thing, in Salida, of all places. For those that never see the doctor, don't know that it'll be a financial interest but for those that are regular, HUGE savings… for all involved. I know it's been "discussed" in Baker but my doctor is in Spokane.