Popular WWAMI program for would-be doctors for Montana faces cuts

With Montana facing a projected biennial budget deficit of up to $370 million, every state program is in jeopardy, including the popular 37-year-old program that places 20 state residents in the University of Washington School of Medicine.

The state-funded WWAMI program — from which at least 531 Montanan doctors have graduated and gone on to practice medicine — has received a $3.5 million appropriation for the next fiscal year.

Of those Montana doctors, at least 293, or 55 percent, have practiced at least one year in Montana.

"There are no sacred cows" when it comes to budget cuts, vowed Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena, chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee.

By CINDY UKEN Of The Gazette Staff

Full Story: http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_fd4b6211-3aff-5a76-b9aa-c12f330b2fad.html

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