A large crowd of physicians and medical students gathered in Boise to protest HB 176, a legislative bill that seeks to withdraw Idaho from the 53-year-old WWAMI medical education partnership, which includes Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. This partnership is essential for addressing the state's pressing physician shortage, as Idaho ranks last in the nation for physicians per capita. Dr. Andrea Christopher, a key speaker at the rally, warned that disrupting the physician training pipeline could have dire consequences given the increasing healthcare needs in Idaho. The bill's sponsor, Rep.

Dustin Manwaring, argues that the legislation is a necessary first step towards establishing a standalone medical school in Idaho. However, many healthcare professionals doubt that the proposed timeline for developing new partnerships and clinical rotations is realistic. They also express concerns about the potential drop in educational quality, especially if the state partners with for-profit institutions like the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. As discussions continue, the future of medical education in Idaho hangs in the balance, with significant implications for healthcare access and quality in the state. Advocates for WWAMI stress the importance of maintaining the program's proven track record in training competent healthcare professionals.