An Alaska Senate subcommittee diverged from the House on Friday and recommended that the state's medical school program continue to receive full funding.
Earlier this month, the House passed an operating budget that called for the eventual termination of Alaska's participation in WWAMI, a program named for its five participating states: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. In fiscal year 2014, WWAMI cost the state $2.9 million.
The program provides 20 new Alaska students each year with admission to the University of Washington School of Medicine and gives them a subsidy that drops tuition to in-state rates. In return for the subsidy, students must practice medicine in Alaska for a specified number of years or repay the money.
Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, who heads the Senate subcommittee, said legislators had received feedback from many community members who wanted WWAMI saved in Alaska, a state without its own medical school. He cautioned that the subcommittee's recommendation must survive the budget process as the state tries to close a $3.5 billion budget gap.
"We may have bought a little time for a couple good programs," Dunleavy said.
The subcommittee also asked for a cost switch, recommending the state pay for WWAMI through the higher education investment fund instead of the general fund.
The recommendations will go to the Senate Finance Committee before the budget moves to the Senate floor. If the Senate and House cannot agree on the future of WWAMI, the issue will go to a conference committee.
Reporter Nathaniel Herz contributed to this story.