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Democrats accuse GOP senators of ‘affirmative action’ for Iowa med school
(Des Moines,Iowa) – The Iowa Senate voted Monday to set residency requirements for classes enrolling in University of Iowa medical and dental programs, despite concerns from some lawmakers that it would create an unfair, affirmative action program in highly sought-after fields. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports House File 516, which would require that 80% of students accepted to the UI doctor of medicine or dentistry programs be residents of Iowa or fulfill other qualifications, passed the Iowa Senate with a vote of 34-11.
Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, filed an amendment that would have barred the UI from lowering its admission standards and the Iowa Board of Regents from penalizing the university if it doesn’t reach the 80% mark. Trone Garriott said these changes would ensure that lower-quality candidates are not chosen over their peers because the university needs to meet a quota. “The most qualified applicants should be our priority for Iowa’s medical school, but the majority party is going to mandate quotas give special status to one group of students over others based on identity rather than merit,” Trone Garriott said. She was joined by Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, and other Senate Democrats in calling the proposed requirements an affirmative action program, as it gives preference to a certain group of people based on an aspect of their identity. The debate comes as Republican lawmakers and the governor-appointed regents have been purging programs and policies from state universities related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
To make exceptions for certain applicants because they’re from Iowa would put a stain on all others enrolled in the programs, Bisignano said, and a codified requirement to maintain standards would help push against the possibility of giving Iowans special treatment. “We’re not talking in those terms, but it’s an affirmative action program. We’re going to weight it towards Iowa applicants,” Bisignano said. “But that doesn’t work in medicine, because not only do you want the best and the brightest, but that’s what draws your investment money in your research, is the quality and the level of your doctors and your research scientists.”
The amendment failed to pass. Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, also filed an amendment that would have applicants state whether they are an Iowa resident, have graduated from an Iowa high school, have family in Iowa or who graduated from an Iowa high school or college, or have lived in a rural community with similar characteristics to Iowa communities. If none of these qualifications apply to the applicant, Klimesh said they can express interest in completing their medical residency or practicing in the state after graduation. The amendment passed. “The additional questions we’re asking an amendment 3069 now put Iowa in the same league as other states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, who ask very specific questions of their incoming applicants to ensure they’re getting the mix they need to provide health care in those specific states,” Klimesh said.
The bill returns to the House for consideration of the Senate changes.
