By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS - Associated Press - Friday, October 31, 2014

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - The University of Washingtons plan to double the size of its medical school program in Spokane is the most cost-effective way to meet the states need for more doctors, according to a new study released Friday.

Its the latest skirmish in a battle between UW and Washington State University to increase medical education in the states second-largest city.

The new study, commissioned by UW, found that Eastern Washington does not have enough residency programs to support a separate medical school.

The study also said the average cost of medical education per student at UW is about $70,000 a year. Thats lower than the estimated $98,000 per student cost at a stand-alone WSU medical school, the study said.

This study supports our expansion plans and validates the success of what we have been doing in Spokane since we began medical instruction in the city in 2008, said UW President Michael K. Young.

We are offering the most cost-effective, most feasible, and most immediate answer to the challenge of producing more physicians for the underserved areas of our state, Young said. Our commitment to our students in Spokane and to the community is deep, and we intend to continue to serve the region and expand the UW School of Medicine in Spokane.

Washington State University President Elson Floyd said WSU remains committed to creating a medical school in Spokane.

For too long Washington state has produced too few physicians to meet the needs of our state, Floyd said. While we welcome the University of Washingtons announcement today about their intention to address part of this shortfall, it is simply not enough.

Floyd said WSU supports the expansion plans of the University of Washington in Spokane, but we believe we must also pursue a new medical school.

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UW touts med school expansion in Spokane