Provider Shortage Worsening, Demand Growing

Health and Human Services spokeswoman Erin Shields Britt says continuing to build the primary care workforce will take time, but she notes President Obama's budget working its way through Congress has several new ways to expand the primary care workforce, which includes nurse practitioners and pediatricians. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), she says, significantly increases the number of primary care providers in rural and underserved areas and increases Medicare and Medicaid payment for services delivered by primary care practitioners.

An article in USA Today this week outlines some of the challenges that continue to get in the way of training and placing providers. The challenges include the rising cost of medical school, more lucrative specialty care and scope of practice laws. Read the article here.