Members of a California Senate committee hearing said that mid-level healthcare practitioners may be the solution to a projected physician shortage in the state, according to a California Healthline report.
The joint meeting of the Senate Committee on Health and the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development last week discussed solutions to two issues looming in the state: a physician shortage combined with a potential influx of newly insured patients under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Kevin Barnett of the Public Health Institute suggested that the state consider loan repayment for providers just out of school and practicing in underserved areas; increase the number of residencies in areas that are underserved; and expand the scope of practice for less-traditional providers such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
"California is first in the nation in retention of those who attended medical school [or residency] here, … but we're 41st in the nation in physicians per capita," Mr. Barnett said. "All of this means that California needs to look at other ways to increase the scope of the workforce."
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The joint meeting of the Senate Committee on Health and the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development last week discussed solutions to two issues looming in the state: a physician shortage combined with a potential influx of newly insured patients under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Kevin Barnett of the Public Health Institute suggested that the state consider loan repayment for providers just out of school and practicing in underserved areas; increase the number of residencies in areas that are underserved; and expand the scope of practice for less-traditional providers such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
"California is first in the nation in retention of those who attended medical school [or residency] here, … but we're 41st in the nation in physicians per capita," Mr. Barnett said. "All of this means that California needs to look at other ways to increase the scope of the workforce."
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