Issue Position: Proposed 2013- 2014 State Budget and UC Riverside Medical School Funding

Issue Position

While Governor Brown does propose a five percent increase for the University of California's budget for Fiscal Year 2013 - 2014, I was very disappointed not to see specific funding identified for the University of California Riverside (UCR) Medical School.

There is an immediate need for more doctors to provide critical health care services to our residents and to all of California. California is suffering from a shortage of physicians and the projected statewide physician shortfall is expected to be 17,000 by the year 2015.

Full funding for the UCR Medical School is my top priority and it was the primary reason I ran for elected office. I introduced Senate Bill 21 on my first day in office to provide the UCR Medical School with ongoing funding to ensure completion of the accreditation process.

My efforts continue to be completely focused on achieving full funding for the medical school to maximize the number of students eligible to enroll and become a solution to our rapidly growing regional and statewide doctor shortage.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in the California State Legislature and with Governor Brown to fully fund the UCR Medical School as the budget process now moves forward.

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