In response to Josh Nelson’s “It’s time to make medical school free” (Tribune, Dec. 22), I agree with a lot Nelson said in his commentary, but not all.
Medical school is expensive, but I do not believe money is or should be the biggest deterrent for attending medical school.
I am about to finish my second year of medical school. I spent $56,000 this year on tuition and recently another $1,200 registering for board exams in June. I have never regretted my decision to start this crazy journey into medicine once, even when the bills come.
My friends are buying housing, making six-figure incomes and starting their families. I see my wife for an hour at dinner and then am back with my nose in the books. While I sacrifice family time now, I know that one day my dedication will save someone’s life. I will play a key part in making someone feel better. Someone’s father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister will live because of the sacrifice I am making now. That is why I went into medicine, and if I can save one life, I don’t mind the quarter-million-dollar price tag that will come with it.
Of course, free medical school might attract more students and future doctors. But will all these students go into primary care where we need them, or will they opt for higher-paying subspecialties? The government already subsidizes tuition for students committed to going into primary care or serving the members of our nation’s military.
Free medical school would be amazing but, honestly, if the government had to choose where to allocate an extra $5 billion lying around, I would hope that would go toward expanding Medicaid and closing coverage gaps.
And, please, let’s all pray it doesn’t go toward a wall.
Bobby Cannon, Lebanon, Ore.
