Bill Would Require 80 Percent of New UIHC Acceptances Have Iowa Ties

(Des Moines, IA) -- A bill that would require at least 80% of those accepted to the University of Iowa's medical and dental schools to have ties to the state is continuing its journey in the legislature. House File 516 also requires the university's medical residency programs to give priority to the same people, and it's aimed at addressing Iowa's physician shortage. According to State Rep. Ann Meyer (R-Fort Dodge), 81% of Iowa native graduates left the state for their residency between 2020-2024 and in 2024 44% of UIHC residents stayed when that portion of their training was complete.

"These bills as amended aim to focus our taxpayer funded institution on intentional efforts to grow the healthcare workforce of Iowa," Meyer says. "The data shows that if you do your medical school training and your residency training in one state you're far more likely to stay in that state and practice."

Some opponents say the proposal doesn't account for top out of state talent who want to attend the university. To make his point, State Rep. Adam Zabner (D-Iowa City) uses a sports analogy.

"Every kid that grows up in Iowa wants to play football at the University of Iowa," Zabner says. "Why's that? They have a great team that's successful and takes the best talent from our state and adds it to the incredible talent they're able to recruit from around the country. Our medical school should be just the same. Every single Iowan benefits from having a top flight medical school in our state."

Some supporters, however, say similar policies have been enacted elsewhere successfully.

"Texas medical schools accept out of state students but they strongly favor Texas residents," Meyer says. "State law in Texas limits the amount of out of state students to 10% of the total class. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine only accepts legal Illinois residents for their regular MD program."

The bill advanced through the Iowa House of Representatives on Wednesday and is now eligible for consideration in the state senate.