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New bill allows international doctors to work in Idaho

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New bill allows international doctors to work in Idaho


TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — As we head into the new year, a few new laws go into effect in our state. One of them looks to help fill an important need — a shortage of doctors.

“Idaho has one of the lowest physicians per capita in the nation,” says State Rep. Josh Wheeler.

Josh wheeler is a state representative for District 35. He is one of the lawmakers behind House Bill 542, which becomes law in 20-25.

This bill will allow doctors who received their education and training outside of the U.S. and Canada to practice medicine here in Idaho. According to Representative Wheeler, this law will help address the shortage of doctors in our state.

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“Just opening up additional paths to bring more physicians to the state of Idaho,” says Wheeler.

According to the American Medical Association, as of 2023 Idaho is a little under 200 physicians per 100,000 residents, compared to a national average of around 300. And by 2030– a Cicero Institue Study projects that Idaho will be short more than 1,700 doctors.

Representative Wheeler says this new change will help offset those numbers, adding that international doctors are required to be vetted before getting hired.

“Listen we want to make sure their medical education is substantially similar to a united states med school education,” says Wheeler. “They need to have English speaking proficiency, and they need to be in good standing with whatever governing body they deal with.”

International doctors are also required to have practiced in another country for at least three years, need a clinic or hospital to sponsor them, and a doctor to supervise them during a three-year temporary license term.

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“And that will then give them the pathway to have full license in the state of Idaho,” says Wheeler.



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Idaho

Claremont Fire evacuation zones drop to Level 1 as crews work to clear spot fire

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Claremont Fire evacuation zones drop to Level 1 as crews work to clear spot fire


FOOTHILLS, Idaho — Areas near the Claremont Fire have been reduced to Level 1 evacuation status, the Boise County Sheriff’s Office updated on Facebook.

“Most of the unburned fuel near the spot fire has been consumed. There may be a pocket or two of unburned fuel that will need to be monitored tomorrow [July 11] afternoon,” BCSO says in an 8:40 p.m. update.

Idaho News 6 will continue to monitor evacuations in the area. To find your evacuation zone, click here.

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Investigators are still working to determine what sparked the fire and are asking the public for tips.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | How did the Claremont Fire start? Investigators seek tips after 6,500 acres burn in the Foothills

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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You Asked: Where is the 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule for the State of Idaho?

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You Asked: Where is the 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule for the State of Idaho?


The United States recently celebrated its 250th year with a time capsule that has now been sealed and buried at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, and won’t be opened until 2276. The contents include pieces highlighting the State of Idaho’s tribal heritage, agricultural roots, and growing role in advanced manufacturing and energy innovation, as […]



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“We won’t insure you”: Robie Creek homeowners struggle to get home insurance due to wildfire risks

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“We won’t insure you”: Robie Creek homeowners struggle to get home insurance due to wildfire risks


ROBIE CREEK, Idaho — The Claremont Fire has brought wildfire risks to top of mind for neighbors living in places like Robie Creek, where residents saw Level 3 evacuations this week.

Many Idaho homeowners in rural areas like Boise County say they are having their home insurance policies dropped because of wildfire risks, leaving many scrambling to find coverage or going with none at all.

“This one was good — we knew it was coming, the one that was the Valley Fire in 2024 came up behind the hill. It was closer than this one even,” said Christian Dahlstrom, who has lived in Rocky Canyon since 2008.

WATCH | Hear from Robie Creek homeowners about being dropped from coverage with no luck getting re-insured

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“We won’t insure you”: Robie Creek homeowners struggle to get home insurance due to wildfire risks

“I was insured since then until last year, so following the 2024 fire or fires, the insurance companies up here started reevaluating and they canceled a lot of folks and I was one of them,” Dahlstrom said.

He and many of his neighbors are now living without homeowners insurance because they can’t find a provider that will offer them full coverage.

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“I have contacted every insurance carrier in the phonebook,” Dahlstrom said.

He said his mortgage company eventually insured the home, but only for the value of the mortgage. He could still lose everything if the home were destroyed in a fire.

“One insurance company said yep they’ll insure me but I had to take every single tree off the property. Well, then why am I living in the forest?” Dahlstrom added.

Others in Robie Creek say they are facing similar problems.

“And it’s not even a, well now you have to pay twice as much. It’s a we won’t insure you,” said Oscar Williamson.

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Williamson recently bought a home in Robie Creek and said he needed insurance coverage to close on the property.

“We had gone through 40 different insurance companies to try to get it insured and nobody would ensure it they said it was in a high fire area,” Williamson said.

He nearly backed out of the purchase until his mortgage company offered limited coverage similar to Dahlstrom’s.

“You have no choice either run it without insurance or you don’t own the house,” Williamson said. “There should be an easier way of doing this.”

RELATED | “We’re all being canceled”: Idaho homeowners struggle to maintain home insurance amid wildfire risks

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This is an issue affecting homeowners across the Treasure Valley and Idaho — residents in Garden Valley and the Boise Foothills have also reported losing coverage because of wildfire risk concerns.

RELATED | Idaho homeowners face insurance cancellations and rate hikes over wildfire risk

Boise Fire Chief Aaron Hummel says they’re working with partners to help reduce risks for homeowners and improve insurability.

“We also we’re trying to do our part with the Western Fire Chief Association, insurance carriers to see what can we do to use some of the contemporary tools to help mitigate some of this challenge,” Hummel said.

They are hoping to use new technology and grant funding to better protect homes in the wildland-urban interface.

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“And essentially what we’re trying to do is leverage current AI technology and modeling tools to be very targeted in addressing areas that are vulnerable,” Hummel said.

You can find more information about Boise Fire’s goal to help reduce wildfire risks for homeowners here.





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