As long as schools do what BCOM is doing, 115 ACGME residency positions created and soon to be 150+, and a research requirement for all students to graduate, I don't see an issue with for profit DO schools opening up in obscure areas and cities that otherwise can not raise enough money to build a medical school.
There is a shortage of all physicians, even in specialties. Primary care especially. Our population is old and in the next 5 years even more physicians will be needed.
For profit education is bad when there is no or little regulation. As long as there is the LCME and COCA things will be fine, and additional funding that these schools have will benefit students.
RVUCOM has some of the highest board scores in the nation and good match lists. BCOM has made over a 100 new residency positions.
Also keep in mind what ultimately matters is your board scores, strength of clinical rotations, etc not your schools tax status.
NP and PA are being given prescribing rights in certain states, Optometrists are fighting for expanded scope of practice that threatens ophthalmologists, psychologists vs psychiatrists....
These battles won't go away. This is another one. We just have to ensure these new schools are being held accountable (create residencies)
