Colorado Medical Society

Introduced by: Medical Student Component Society

Subject: Medical Student Tuition and Debt

Referred to: Reference Committee on Board of Directors/Constitution & Bylaws/Credentials

WHEREAS, medical student tuition at the University of Colorado has increased 68% over 5 years to the current level of $22,583, and

WHEREAS, the University of Colorado School of Medicine is 3^rd to last nationally in state funding among publicly supported medical schools, and

WHEREAS, in the five years prior to the passage of Referendum C, state funding for University of Colorado Health Sciences Center decreased $23,731,205, and

WHEREAS, exorbitant student tuition disadvantages Colorado in relationship to other states in the recruitment of students, and

WHEREAS, medical students worked diligently in the 2005 election cycle to pass Referendum C and D, and

WHEREAS, 1/3 of Referenda C funding is dedicated to education, and

WHEREAS, little to none of the Referenda C education funds were appropriated by the 2006 Legislature to address the losses accrued by the Health Sciences Center or medical student debt and tuition expenses, and

WHEREAS, medical student debt for the class of 2009 is expected to be $190,543 on graduation day and expected to rise with yearly increases in tuition, and

WHEREAS, increased debt load influences choice of residency, and

WHEREAS, in 2005, there were 8% fewer graduates from the University of Colorado School of Medicine who chose primary care residencies and in favor of specialized fields, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that medical student tuition and debt be a legislative priority of CMS.

FISCAL IMPACT: None