AAMC: Health Reform Law To Exacerbate Doctor Shortage
Last week, the Association of American Medical Colleges announced that the nation's physician shortage will worsen as more uninsured U.S. residents gain coverage as a result of the federal health care reform law. The group previously forecast a shortage of 39,600 physicians by 2015 as members of the baby boomer generation begin qualifying for Medicare coverage. However, AAMC now says the nation will have a shortfall of 62,900 physicians by 2015 because of the expected rise in patient demand resulting from the overhaul.
- "Med Schools: Health Care Overhaul To Accelerate Doctor Shortage" (Wang, "Health Blog," Wall Street Journal, 9/30).
- "Health Reform To Worsen Doctor Shortage: Group" (Cooney, Reuters, 9/30).