SPOKANE Two state legislators from Spokane will propose bills to create a new medical school in Spokane under the control of Washington State University.

State Rep. Marcus Riccelli, a Democrat, and state Sen. Mike Baumgartner, a Republican, will unveil legislation Tuesday to change a 1917 law that limits medical education to the University of Washington.

Their bills would also provide about $2.5 million for Washington State to establish a school that concentrates on family and rural medicine.

Baumgartner is vice chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Riccelli is vice chairman of the House Health Care Committee.

Washington State has announced plans to start a new medical school in Spokane, saying the state suffers from a shortage of physicians. The University of Washington says its programs should be expanded.

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Legislators unveil bills for new WSU medical school