Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill that gives Washington State University the authority to create an independently accredited medical school on its campus in Spokane.

The bill amends a 98-year-old state statute that gave to University of Washington exclusive rights to provide medical education. The governor signed the bill today during a ceremony in Olympia.

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more people are now covered by health care,” Inslee said. “It’s not just that more people are covered - there are also more people in our state. We have depended on doctors trained in other states to come to Washington to practice. Yet the needs of our rural and underserved communities are not being met. In some areas, shortages are great.

“By removing a historic prohibition, we allow Washington State University to begin planning for a new medical school,” he said. “And we will promote good family-wage jobs in the greater Spokane area.”

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