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State lawmakers are concerned that a $50 million request from the University of Utah to help replace its hospital and build other new medical facilities would not immediately increase the number of medical students in the state.
Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan and member of several key budget committees, said Monday he was "a little disappointed" the U.'s construction plans, which include a new medical school building, would not boost its class size above the roughly 120 currently accepted.
More medical students in Utah could help with Utah's physician shortage: with 207.5 physicians per 100,000 population, Utah currently ranks 43rd in the nation, according to 2015 American Association of Medical Colleges data.
But Vivian Lee, dean of the U. School of Medicine, said replacing the aging U. hospital was the first step toward class size expansion.
The $50 million request, she and others noted, is part of a $420 million project to replace University Hospital with three new facilities — an ambulatory care center, a rehabilitation hospital and a medical education facility.
"The challenge is we have to get things in the right order," Lee told members of the Senate Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Committee on Monday.
The U. currently is the only medical school in the state.
Increasing the number of students, Lee said, requires approval from accrediting officials. To get that, she said, "we have to show the facilities are worthy ... The last time we had an accreditation review, we were severely criticized" for the facility condition.
The hospital, built more than 50 years ago, is in desperate need of an upgrade, Lee said, and the U. plans to pay for the new facilities with operating revenue bonds and private donations, including a $47.5 million contribution from a private foundation in California.
But that foundation's gift is contingent on the state's $50 million commitment.
"It doesn't have to all be flowing cash this year," said U. President David Pershing. "It just has to be a firm commitment."
Pershing said he anticipates the U. would need at least $20 million in state funds this year.
And with that commitment in place, Lee said she anticipates all three facilities will be completed by the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022.
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