Board of Governor's OKs 2 Medical Schools

By Kimberly Miller, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Posted Friday, March 24, 2006

TALLAHASSEE — Florida's Board of Governors approved the creation of two expensive new medical schools Thursday, despite claims that there are quicker and cheaper ways to meet state demands for more doctors.

The 15-1 vote in favor of medical programs at Florida International University in Miami and the University of Central Florida in Orlando followed a four-hour debate that won over the board's most adamant opponent to the schools.

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Zachariah P. Zachariah at first called arguments in favor of the proposals "naive" and "snow jobs." He changed his vote after lawmakers promised to pay for enrollment increases at current medical schools.

The fate of the medical schools is now in the hands of legislators who probably will debate next year whether to bill taxpayers $500 million over the next decade for the programs. The schools are expected to cost about $20 million in annual operating costs after that.

Senate President Tom Lee, R-Brandon, said he did not have a strong opinion either way but did question the costs. He cautioned that neither school is a done deal.

"I have some concerns about establishing two medical schools in Florida because I know how thin our state university system already is in trying to get the resources to meet its needs," Lee said. "I think if the Board of Governors passes the medical schools, then the legislature has properly before it the question of whether or not we want to fund them. I wouldn't consider it a fait accompli."

Not since last year's vote on Florida State University's proposed chiropractic school has a Board of Governors meeting drawn such a crowd, with more than 200 people and seven TV stations from the Orlando area.

Supporters of the schools, which would graduate 240 doctors a year, say they will help meet a physician shortage while pumping economic development money into Orlando and Miami.

But opponents point to expert opinions that say Florida first should create more residency spots before building expensive new medical schools.

"The new medical schools will turn out their first graduates in, what, the year 2012," said board member Stanley Marshall, the lone vote against the schools. "If we pursue the recommendations on residencies, we'll be turning out doctors much sooner than that. There are people in South Florida who are very poor, in desperate need of medical care, and they don't want to wait" that long.

The motion to create the schools, made by board member Sheila McDevitt, includes legislative requests for money to pay for more residency spots, incentives for graduates to practice in rural areas, and changes in the liability system that would reduce doctors' insurance costs.

"The most important thing is this is a tremendous opportunity that would benefit the quality of life for the citizens of this state and one that I don't think we can afford to miss," said board member Charlie Edwards, who voted in favor of the medical schools.

Thursday's win cost the two universities tens of thousands of dollars in lobbying, including paying for costly economic impact studies showing tax collection benefits to Florida.

At one point during the meeting, board Chairwoman Carolyn Roberts reminded members that graduating more doctors was as important as economic development.

"I don't want us to forget the shortage of physicians, and that's what our citizens are interested in. How are they going to get a doctor as they age?" Roberts asked.

Florida already has three public and three private medical schools. The University of Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of Miami and FSU are allopathic schools. Nova Southeastern and a branch of Lake Erie College in Bradenton offer osteopathic medical degrees.

In April, the board granted Florida Atlantic University a partnership with the University of Miami medical school that will create a four-year medical program on FAU's Boca Raton campus.

But even with the existing programs, several studies point to a lack of doctors in the state as Florida's population grows and Baby Boomer doctors retire.

The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation estimates an annual average of 1,290 vacancies for doctors between now and 2012. The Association of American Medical Colleges has recommended that the nation increase medical school enrollments nationally by 15 percent to 30 percent.

Part of the problem is a lack of residency spots for training doctors. About 50 percent of Florida's medical students leave the state for their residencies. A 2004 state study and the Florida Medical Association recommended creating more residencies before opening more medical schools.

FIU and UCF promise their schools will come with residencies at local hospitals, but some board members questioned the availability of federal dollars to pay for those spots, which can cost $100,000 a year.

Florida Education Commissioner John Winn initially was leaning against the creation of the medical schools because of the cost and the potential drain on education dollars.

On Thursday, he remained hesitant but said the schools were the only viable solutions to create more doctors.

"These two proposals have generated incredible, incredible support and enthusiasm and people willing to give their own support to make them happen," Winn said, noting the millions of dollars in private donations pledged to the schools. "Like it or not, this is the solution that has presented itself and the only solution that will lead to action in the foreseeable future."