Growing Primary Care Shortage Hampers Inexpensive Health Insurance

People hoping to secure inexpensive health insurance may find themselves frustrated in the coming years by what appears to be a growing shortage of primary care doctors across the country.

This week, the Massachusetts Medical Society released a study showing that the problem is becoming more pronounced in that state. According to the organization, seven of 18 different medical specialties are now considered to be in short supply in that state, with little prospect for relief in sight.

The study found that there is now a higher percentage than ever of primary care practices that are closed to new patients, while areas such as family medicine and internal medicine have suffered shortages for four consecutive years.

The report also noted that the Massachusetts system of requiring people to have insurance has not done anything to ease the shortage issue. Fear of lawsuits, liability costs and the lucrative pay offered by other specialty areas have been cited as part of the problem.

Other media outlets have called attention to this nationwide trend and the consequences it could have for the overall quality of healthcare, as well as the impact it is likely to have on one's ability to find inexpensive health insurance.