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Report: Physician shortage in New York endangers care
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 31, 2011
A dearth of doctors is threatening patient care in New York, and the problem will worsen as older physicians retire and demand for services grows under health system reform, a new report says.
The state is short 1,000 physicians, according to the Healthcare Assn. of New York State, a nonprofit organization representing health care networks and hospitals, which released the report Jan. 14. Hospitals in the state have a hard time attracting new physicians, and 27% of practicing doctors are older than 60. An estimated 1.2 million New York residents will gain health coverage under the health reform law, according to the report (link).
"Virtually every community has been impacted by these shortages, and this study suggests the impact will become more pronounced in coming years unless we make our state and our health care facilities more attractive to qualified physicians," said association president Daniel Sisto.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/01/31/prbf0131.htm.