BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Carol Liu, Chair
2013-2014 Regular Session
BILL NO: SB 21
AUTHOR: Roth
AMENDED: March 18, 2013
FISCAL COMM: Yes HEARING DATE: April 17, 2013
URGENCY: Yes CONSULTANT:Daniel Alvarez
SUBJECT : University of California: UC Riverside (UCR) Medical
School: funding.
SUMMARY
This bill, an urgency measure , appropriates on an annual basis
$15 million to the University of California for the school of
medicine on the Riverside campus.
BACKGROUND
UC Riverside's history in medical education dates back to 1974,
when the
UCR / UC Los Angeles (UCLA) program in biomedical sciences was
established. The collaboration between the two campuses
educates 28 first-year and 28-second year medical students at
UCR, after which the students leave the region to finish years 3
and 4 at UCLA and to do their medical residencies. This
collaboration has enabled approximately 700 students to complete
their initial years of medical school at UCR, and their last two
years at UCLA where they are conferred their medical degrees.
In 2008, the UC Regents fully endorsed the curriculum and
development of a medical school on the UCR campus.
Section 9, Article IX of the State Constitution creates the
University of California to be administered by the Regents with
full powers of organization and government.
Section 1, Article IV vests legislative powers in the California
Legislature which consists of the Senate and Assembly and
empowers the Legislature with the ability to appropriate funds
with a two-thirds vote, except the budget bill and bills
appropriating funds for the public schools.
ANALYSIS
SB 21
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This bill , an urgency measure, annually appropriates $15 million
from the General Fund to the Regents of the University of
California for allocation to the School of Medicine at the UC
Riverside campus.
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Need for the bill . According to the author, Inland
Southern California has one of the most severe shortages of
primary care physicians in the nation. Both Riverside and
San Bernardino counties only have 36 and 44 primary care
physicians per 100,000 residents, far below the federally
recommended ratios of 60 to 80 physicians. This crisis will
only worsen unless more doctors are educated and trained
locally. The University of California, Riverside (UCR)
School of Medicine is the key component to begin addressing
the severe shortage of primary care physicians in the
region. In addition, the community has pledged $10 million
per year for ten years with the belief that state support
is also a crucial component of shared responsibility in the
region. Some of the local funds are subject to a
three-year or five-year review, and without state support
there is an imminent danger these funds will be withdrawn
jeopardizing the School of Medicine's accreditation when it
is up for review before the Licensing Committee on Medical
Education in 2014.
2) Bill is overly vague, needs legislative direction for UC .
The bill as currently drafted is vague and does not provide
meaningful guidance to the University of California on what
the Legislature expects from an annual $15 million
investment in a medical school.
Therefore, staff recommends amendments that clearly
articulate purposes for the utilization of funds?"Funds
shall be available for planning and startup costs
associated with academic programs to be offered by the UCR
medical school, including the following: (a) academic
planning activities, support of academic program offerings,
and faculty recruitment; (b) the acquisition of
instructional materials and equipment, and (c) ongoing
operating support for faculty, staff, and other annual
operating expenses for the UCR medical school."
3) California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC).
Prior to 2011, CPEC was charged, among other things, with
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reviewing proposals for new academic and vocational
programs at California's public colleges and universities
and with making recommendations to the Legislature and
Governor. In 2008, the CPEC found that the UC proposal to
establish a School of Medicine at the Riverside campus
fully meets the Commission's Guidelines for Approval of New
Programs. It was also recommended the UC consider
establishing the medical school at a later date when the
state's economic and fiscal conditions are more favorable.
4) Related legislation . AB 27 (Medina), pending in Assembly
Appropriations Committee, is identical to this bill.
5) Past legislation . AB 1309 (Miller, 2012) would have
appropriated $15 million, from an expected settlement, to
the UC for the UCR School of Medicine. This measure was
held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
SUPPORT
American College of Emergency Physicians
Bourns, Gordon Bourns, CEO
California Association of Physician Groups
California Medical Association
California Primary Care Association
City of Murrieta
City of Riverside, Office of the Mayor, Rusty Bailey
Department of Insurance, Dave Jones, Insurance Commissioner
Enterprise Media and the Press-Enterprise
Four concerned citizens
Inland Empire Economic Partnership
Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Southwest California Legislative Council
Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors
UC Riverside Alumni Association
OPPOSITION
None on file.