The final decision, which belongs to state lawmakers, is likely to depend as much on politics as on health care needs. FSU officials have been pushing to build a medical school for several years. They have the backing of powerful alumni in the Legislature, including House Speaker John Thrasher. Officials at the state's existing medical schools, including the University of South Florida, say the best solution is to expand current offerings at their institutions. But other Florida universities are asking for a chance to start their own training programs.
Most national studies indicate a glut of physicians in the United States.
But a recent report authorized by FSU's legislative supporters says there is a substantial shortage of doctors in Florida. It recommends training an additional 300 doctors each year. The state currently graduates about 450 new doctors each year from its four medical schools. It also licenses 2,000 doctors who move here from out of state. The problem, D'Alemberte said, is that too few of both categories are doing public health medicine, especially in the state's poorer, rural areas.