Shortage of PCPs could complicate Obama health reform plans

Obama administration officials are expressing concern that a doctor shortage, especially among primary care providers, will only be exacerbated if health reform enables millions of uninsured people to gain coverage  (Source: “Shortage of Doctors an Obstacle to Obama Goals,” New York Times, April 27, 2009).

A plan to redistribute Medicare payments to general practicioners is being met with stiff resistance from specialists, who would prefer that new money be found to incentivize general care practitioners.

“We’re not producing enough primary care physicians,” Obama said at a recent White House forum on health care. “The costs of medical education are so high that people feel that they’ve got to specialize.”

Witnesses testifying before the Senate Finance Committee last week expressed the same concern about the shortage of primary care doctors (Source: “Witnesses Say Congress Needs to Provide More Support for Primary Care,” AAFP News Now, April 29, 2009).

"We have abundant research that shows strong primary care is essential to a well-functioning, high-performing health care system," said Glenn Hackbarth, chair of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. "As you know all too well, primary care is weak and, unfortunately, getting weaker."