Bills introduced that pave way for new medical school

SPOKANE — Two Spokane legislators have introduced bills that help pave the way for a new Washington State University medical school in Spokane.

State Sen. Michael Baumgartner, a Republican, and State Rep. Marcus Riccelli, a Democrat, introduced the bills on Wednesday in Olympia.

Baumgartner’s bill has a total of 17 co-sponsors and Riccelli’s has 60 con-sponsors, which he says shows broad support.

The bills eliminate a restriction dating from 1917 that gives the University of Washington the exclusive right to operate a public medical school in the state of Washington, and allows only 120 medical students each year.

The two legislators say a new medical school proposed by WSU would help relieve a physician shortage in most of the state.