Sen. Bonham: Good news! Oregon gets first rural medical school

By Oregon State Senator Daniel Bonham
Newsletter excerpt

Finally — some good news that puts the needs of rural Oregonians first. The Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) has proposed opening the state’s first rural medical school to help tackle our growing shortage of doctors outside major cities.

This is exactly the kind of project Oregon should be championing and is a genuine solution to our healthcare crisis. For too long, rural communities have been ignored by policymakers more interested in Portland’s pet projects than in the very real healthcare crises outside the metro areas. If Oregon is serious about equity and opportunity, investing in rural education, healthcare, and economic development must be at the top of the list.

Supporting a rural medical school means investing in the future of all Oregonians — not just the politically connected few. I’ll be keeping a close eye on this proposal, and I hope state leaders don’t miss the chance to deliver real, lasting change to the communities that need it most.