"The other universities are no experts in this area," said Vailas, who estimates his medical program would help improve the economy by enrolling three times the number of Idaho students that WWAMI does each year.

"We believe what we are proposing is a great opportunity for Idaho, especially during these times," Vailas said.

Last year, he pushed Idaho lawmakers to spend $300,000 to study creating the state's first medical degree program. The report, produced by an independent Florida-based consulting firm, concluded that Idaho could address a growing shortage of doctors by adding a medical school or expanding residency programs.

A medical school at a single Idaho university, capable of supporting up to 100 new students per year, would significantly affect the state economy and improve access to medical care statewide, according to the report.

Idaho has 400 family doctors and a population of about 1.5 million, which is one family doctor for every 3,750 people. Nationwide, the state ranks 47th in the ratio of primary care doctors to residents.