SPACE COAST DAILY HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: Solving the Physician Shortage Crisis
By Kevin D. Dayaratna // June 3, 2017
Shortages projected to be acute in primary care
THE DAILY SIGNAL — With the health care debate currently dominating headlines, many Americans may be unaware of a more subtle issue that is affecting the U.S. health care system.
That issue is an increasing shortage of medical professionals. An analysis by the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that by 2030, America will likely experience a shortage of anywhere between 40,800 and 104,900 physicians.
However, the problem has already gotten worse. As of May 25, the Health Resources and Services Administration had designated over 6,000 areas of the country as having a shortage of primary care providers.
This issue is compounded by the fact that the demand for health care is expected to significantly increase within the next few decades.
A new Heritage Foundation policy paper, co-written by this author (Kevin Dayaratna), describes how changing demographics, an uneven geographic distribution of physicians, and government policy have all contributed to this impending health care crisis.
The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that by 2030, America will likely experience a shortage of anywhere between 40,800 and 104,900 physicians.
CLICK HERE to read more on DailySignal.com about the various factors contributing to this crisis, and some possible solutions to address the problem of physician shortages—especially shortages in primary care.
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