13% of Americans Live in Counties With Primary Care Physician Shortages

12 Sep 13% of Americans Live in Counties With Primary Care Physician Shortages

UnitedHealth Group’s recent report details the extent of the physician shortage throughout the United States. The report finds that 13% of Americans (44 million people) live in the counties facing a primary care physician shortage. Rural residents are five times as likely to live in a county with a physician shortage compared to urban and suburban residents. UnitedHealth Group asserts more states should allow nurse practitioners to fill in the gaps.