Report: US Could Face Massive Physician Shortage Under Obamacare

A new study predicts that Obamacare could leave Americans with a shortage of primary care physicians by the year 2025¸ reports the National Monitor.

“Population growth will be the greatest driver of expected increases in primary care utilization. Aging and insurance expansion will also contribute to utilization, but to a smaller extent,” the study concludes, according to the publication.

Researchers from Georgetown University and the Robert Graham Center, Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care blame the possible massive shortage of physicians on the advent of Obamacare and an aging population.

Researchers project that the U.S. will need an additional 52,000 primary care physicians in 13 years or face the prospect of millions of Americans without access to healthcare.

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The researchers warn that the shortage could begin to put pressure on the healthcare system earlier than 2025 as baby boomers age and physicians retire.

“The healthcare consumer that values the relationship with a personal physician, particularly in areas already struggling with access to primary care physicians should be aware of potential access challenges that they may face in the future if the production of primary care physicians does not increase,” warns Dr. Andrew Bazemore, director of the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Primary Care who co-authored the study, reports the Nati0nal Monitor.

The publication noted that the total number of office visits to primary care physicians will likely increase from 462 million in 2008 to 565 million in 2025.