HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1188

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to tuition differential exemptions for medical students.

Brief Description:  Exempting Wyoming students admitted to the University of Washington's medical school from the tuition differential.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by  Representatives Carlson, Mason, Radcliff, Kenney, Butler, O'Brien, Van Luven, Sheahan, Dunn, Dyer, Chopp and Murray).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  1/31/97, 2/6/97 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/10/97, 95‑0.

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Carlson, Chairman; Radcliff, Vice Chairman; Mason, Ranking Minority Member; Kenney, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Butler; Dunn; O'Brien and Sheahan.

Staff:  Suzi Morrissey (786-7120).

Background:  The University of Washington has a program of regional medical education called the WAMI program.  Through the program, the university permits some students from Alaska, Montana, and Idaho to enroll in the medical school.  The program is underwritten by contracts that the university enters with participating states.  A few of the students enrolled in the program receive a portion of their instruction at Washington State University.

Within their overall waiver caps, the University of Washington and Washington State University may waive all or a part of the nonresident portion of tuition for students participating in the WAMI program.  Washington State University may further reduce tuition by the amount that the student pays to the University of Washington as a registration fee.  Any additional costs of educating WAMI students must be paid by the students= home states.

Summary of Bill:  The state of Wyoming is added to the WAMI program.  The University of Washington and Washington State University may waive the nonresident tuition differential for students from Wyoming who are participating in the program. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The WAMI program supports a decentralized program of medical education serving Washington and some of its neighboring states.  The program is designed to train primary care physicians to work in rural settings.  If this legislation is approved, Wyoming will become a partner in the program.  Ten students a year from Wyoming will be able to participate.  Although the students will pay resident tuition rates, the state of Wyoming will pay all remaining costs associated with the students= training.  These students will not interfere with access for Washington students and will not cost the taxpayers of Washington any money.  The inclusion of Wyoming in the WAMI program will enhance training opportunities for Washington=s medical students by adding new rural communities and Native American tribes to the service area served by the program.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Thomas Norris, University of Washington School of Medicine (pro); and Joseph Chu, University of Washington School of Medicine (pro).