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Lawmaker Hopes Physician Loan Repayment Bill Helps Rural Areas Retain Doctors

November 22, 2014

(Des Moines)– Backers of a bill that passed the Iowa Legislature and has been signed into law by the Governor hope it will reverse a shortage of physicians in rural areas.
 
State Senator Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg says the high cost of medical school leaves young doctors stressed with high amounts of student loan debt. As a result, he says they’re accepting positions in more highly populated areas where salaries are greater. That in turn, is resuling in a serious shortage of physicians in rural areas. Kibbie says the new state and local parternship created by the legislation will hopefully turn that around…(click here for comment from Kibbie.)

While many studies rank Iowa near the top when it comes to the quality of healthcare, many are concerned the state will slip if the current trend isn’t reversed.