Otter: Idaho to get $300K for doctor training

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter lauded a $300,000 commitment from a private insurance provider to boost the number of doctors in Idaho.

Blue Cross of Idaho is giving the money to help pay for more doctors to do their residencies in Idaho after graduating from medical school.

This is the second year Otter has announced measures to remedy a shortage of family practice doctors in Idaho in his State of the State speech.

Last year, he supported spending more on Idaho State University and Boise family rural residency programs that place medical students in training programs here.

Details of the public-private partnership would come later this year, but Otter challenged other insurers and health care companies to make similar commitments.

He said, “We need our Idaho young people to stay here to bring their passion, energy and talents to our growing health care community.”