Community Corner

Trends Toward Greater Doctor Shortage Worry State Legislators

Doctors, medical students propose student loan forgiveness, tort reform to help solve problem

by Andrew Kitchenman, NJSpotlight.com

New Jersey policymakers looking to address a looming shortage of doctors in the state need to act quickly, as the problem appears to be getting worse and more quickly than predicted.

More of the state’s medical residents are planning to leave the state to practice elsewhere. The amount of student debt these new doctors are carrying is growing steadily, forcing those who are entering lower-paying practice areas like family practice or obstetrics/gynecology to consider relocating to lower-cost states with better reimbursement rates.

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At the same time, the state is expected to need more primary care doctors to serve the additional insured patients due to the Affordable Care Act.

Read more at NJSpotlight.com

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