Trends in the Financing of United States Medical Schools: 1970-1999

Abstract

We examined 30-year trends in the financing of allopathic medical schools in the United States using data from the Annual Medical School Questionnaire administered to United States medical schools. We calculated relative proportions for total revenues derived from different sources. Federal support for teaching/training/public service represented 18.8% of total revenues in 1970-1971, but only 0.3% of total revenues in 1998-1999. The proportion of revenues derived from state/localgovernment appropriations also declined across this period. In contrast, the proportion of revenues derived from medical services increased substantially. The proportion of revenues derived from tuition/fees, gifts, and endowments remained constant