Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF386

Introduced
2/13/25  
Engrossed
3/12/25  

Caption

A bill for an act providing for a study of transitioning certain medical schools in Iowa from four-year programs to three-year programs.(Formerly HF 146.)

Impact

If implemented, HF386 could significantly alter the landscape of medical training in Iowa. Reducing the duration of medical school programs may lower financial burdens for students due to decreased tuition costs and living expenses. However, it also raises questions about the adequacy of training and preparedness of new healthcare professionals entering the workforce after a shorter education period. The findings of the study will be crucial in shaping future educational policies and may influence the structure of medical training both in Iowa and potentially in other states considering similar reforms.

Summary

House File 386 aims to explore the feasibility of transitioning medical education at certain Iowa institutions from traditional four-year programs to a more condensed three-year format. This proposal specifically targets the University of Iowa College of Medicine and Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center, mandating them to conduct a detailed study regarding this shift. The study will involve examining other medical schools that have executed similar transitions, analyzing their outcomes, and potentially identifying the cost benefits for students participating in such programs.

Contention

There are likely areas of contention surrounding HF386, particularly regarding the quality of education versus the necessity for cost-efficiency in medical training. Advocates for the three-year model may argue that it streamlines education without compromising essential learning outcomes, while critics may raise concerns about possible deficiencies in experiential learning and clinical skills development. Furthermore, different stakeholders, including medical faculty, students, and healthcare providers, may hold varying perspectives on the implications of such educational changes, leading to an ongoing dialogue about the optimal length and structure of medical training programs.

Companion Bills

IA HF146

Similar To A bill for an act providing for a study of transitioning certain medical schools in Iowa from four-year programs to three-year programs.(See HF 386.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF2457

A bill for an act providing for education on the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.(Formerly HF 2197.)

IA SF116

A bill for an act relating to certain specified skilled trades, including modifying provisions related to economic development authority internship programs, the Iowa summer youth corps program, college student aid commission programs, the senior year plus program, the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics collaborative initiative established at the university of northern Iowa, and curricula provided in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools to include the skilled trades, and including applicability provisions.

IA SF2438

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3202.)

IA HF387

A bill for an act creating the better caths for Iowa Act including a review of the use and reimbursement of certain catheters under the Medicaid program.

IA HF2197

A bill for an act providing for education on the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.(See HF 2457.)

IA HF447

A bill for an act relating to workforce development, including establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce development board and the state board of regents.(Formerly HF 6.)

IA HF662

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 126.)

IA HF730

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, establishing a destination Iowa fund, providing for related matters, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 253.)

IA HF252

A bill for an act establishing the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program scholarship program. (Formerly HF 16.)

IA HF731

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force on at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 254.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.