New York’s physician shortage is creating a health care crisis

Over my decades of work to make my community a healthier one, I’ve worn many hats. First and foremost, I’m a doctor who has practiced preventive medicine, helping patients mitigate health risks and manage injuries and illnesses. I’ve also been an educator, providing a trustworthy scientific voice for our community to help dispel medical misinformation and empower people to take control of their care. I’m an advocate, keeping up with policies that affect patients’ access to care and speaking up on their behalf. And I’m a community leader, working to identify and address health care disparities for underrepresented groups. 

Now that I’m retired from practice, I have more time to reflect on the gaps many Rochester families face—and how things can change so we can better serve everyone.

Unfortunately, comprehensive health care has become a luxury and privilege, when it should be a right and expectation for all. Amidst a physician shortage, too many patients across New York are struggling to find a doctor. Less than 25% of physicians in the state practice primary care. The most rural counties have four primary care doctors for every 10,000 people, less than half the state and national averages.

Such shortages worsen troubling disparities in health outcomes for underserved communities. The Finger Lakes region has significant poverty and higher death rates from chronic diseases like cancer than the rest of the state. Black and Hispanic communities, in particular, have the highest rates of premature death in the region. We can’t adequately address the issues in our health care system without fixing these inequities.

This starts with increasing access to care and community trust. Independent primary care physicians are the backbone of local health care. Being able to develop a relationship with a doctor who knows your medical history, your family, and the unique challenges faced by your community can significantly improve the patient experience and your overall health.  

However, flawed federal policy is threatening the viability of physician practices. Over the last two decades, Medicare reimbursement to physicians has been on a steep decline; today, it’s 33% lower than in 2001, even after accounting for inflation. Without reimbursement that matches inflation, physicians must make difficult choices to adjust to rising costs. Many can’t afford to take any more Medicare patients, and some are compelled to leave independent practice altogether, closing their doors or selling to hospitals. 

At the same time, community health centers, which are the only option in many underserved and rural areas, are facing unprecedented challenges. And delays in needed funding from Congress only make it harder to plan for their future.

When community-based physicians can’t afford to keep their lights on, patients lose options. To reverse this trend, Congress should stabilize Medicare payments to help encourage more physicians to establish practices in high-need communities and to expand the services they provide. 

Finally, beyond congressional action, we must help New Yorkers better understand their health. Without trusted community physicians, people are susceptible to confusion caused by the onslaught of medical misinformation. I’m doing my part to address this through a video series called “Truth You Can Trust,” debunking common medical myths in a digestible way, with my nursing colleague, Rev. Phyllis Jackson. 

Health care is not simply seeing a physician once a year. To truly increase accessibility and equity in care networks, we need comprehensive change socially and politically. This is not a mission any of us can do alone. To remedy New York’s health care accessibility crisis, I ask that lawmakers in Washington do their part as well: Please take steps to stabilize our system, address the physician shortage, and improve health equity.

Linda L. Clark M.D. is a physician with over 30 years of practice, and board certification in both general preventive medicine and occupational medicine. She maintains academic appointments at the University of Rochester and SUNY Buffalo, and most recently served as CMO and then president and CEO of Anthony L. Jordan Health Corp.

The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing [email protected].