Operation I.O.W.A.
In response to growing concerns from Iowa Medical Society members and policymakers of our state's physician workforce shortage, IMS launched Operation I.O.W.A. (Innovative Opportunities for Workforce Action) - this one-day summit convened nearly 60 physicians, healthcare executives, policy experts and community leaders from across the state to develop solutions to the current physician workforce crisis in Iowa.
The following report serves as a multi-year, comprehensive set of recommendations to combat the physician shortage in Iowa. The first report includes recommendations that can be utilized by policymakers, both legislatively and non-legislatively, and physician practice sites immediately and in years to come.
Download the full report of Phase I click here.
Following the release of the Phase I recommendations, IMS advocacy efforts secured historic wins by passing bipartisan legislation to invest $150 million to expand GME residency slots, doubling the rural health care loan repayment fund to $8 million, and securing passage of the most expansive prior authorization reform in recent memory. The report itself and the tangible progress in advancing these initiatives ensure physician voices are central to conversations on recruitment and retention—laying important groundwork for the next stage of this initiative.
Operation I.O.W.A. Phase II represents the continuation and tactical framework of this effort. Building on the priorities identified in Phase I and leveraging the progress already made, this report outlines specific, actionable strategies.
To download the final Phase II report, click here.
For questions, please contact Seth Brown, IMS Director of Government Relations.
Media contact: Josie Sylte, IMS Director of Marketing and Communications.