Amidst the looming expiration of federal funding for teaching hospitals, the United States is expected to need 52,000 more primary care physicians by 2025, according to a report in USA Today.
There are three main drivers behind the increasing demand for primary care physicians, according to the report:
• Population growth: 33,000 additional physicians needed
• Aging population: 10,000 physicians
• The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: 8,000 physicians
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act funding adding 600 new primary care residencies expires at the end of 2015. The expiration of the federal funding is exacerbating the already costly financial issues facing medical students. According the report, other medical residency funding is required in order to meet the rising physician need.
More Articles on the Physician Shortage:
Physicians Unlikely to Encourage Young People to Enter the Field, Survey Finds
Provider Shortage Threatens Rural Primary Care
300 New Residency Slots for NMSU Medical School