Health Law May Mean Even Fewer Doctors

Article written by guest writer Rin Mitchell

What´s the Latest Development?

For Southern California, the Mississippi Delta, Detroit and suburban Phoenix, President Obama´s new healthcare law may mean more people will be provided with insurance, but there will be lack of good care. According to health experts, a shortage of doctors is on the horizon, and the time it takes to train a doctor is about ten years. However, these are not the only states that would suffer from lack of care—it is a dilemma other states nationwide will be facing. The Association of Medical colleges report that there will be an estimated 62,900 fewer doctors than needed by 2015, “and that number will more than double by 2025, as the expansion of insurance coverage and the aging of baby boomers drive up demand for care.” Yet, it is also stated that the country is bound to experience setbacks in the medical profession without the law. So, it sounds like the new law just puts the icing on the cake. Reportedly, there isn’t much the government or medical professions can do about the shortage. The healthcare law will give nearly 30 million Americans access to coverage, yet many Americans will need have to wait longer for doctors visits; travel long distances to receive sufficient care; opt to go to the emergency room versus make an appointment beforehand or forgo treatment altogether.    

What´s the Big Idea?

It is reported that Obama´s healthcare plan may leave people hanging when it comes to receiving actual care. With states across the country experiencing growth spurts in population, the medical profession industry is not prepared to efficiently meet the demands of healthcare. However, “even without the health care law, the shortfall of doctors in 2025 would still exceed 100,000.”