Obama refuses to answer doctor shortage question

Among the great health care debate of 2009, the Obama administration, and supporters, have given their take on the many questions that linger with regard to the repercussions of passing the current proposed health care legislation. However, there is one question that supporters, to include President Obama himself, have not attempted to answer

How can the health care industry treat 50 million new patients with no extra doctors, especially when there is already a shortage?

A new report from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) underscores the urgency of this concern. Page 25 of the report states:

Between 2006 and 2025, the demand for physicians per 100,000 population is projected to rise by8% (from 228 to 246). During this same period the FTE [Full Time Employee] supply of physicians per 100,000 population is projected to decline by 8% (from 228 to 210).

This scenario also begs to ask the question “since the current proposal is not physician friendly, then what incentive is there to recruit and retain future physicians?”

The answers are obvious, but will the President ever address is the real question.

Further reading:

Article by Dick Morris

American Association of Medical Colleges

Full report from the AAMC

Rebutting Obama’s Health Care Speech (Dick Morris)