The COVID-19 crisis and other factors strained our medical care system to the point that it is now normal to wait for several weeks or even months to see a doctor. Despite the seriousness of this problem, media and government are ignoring this issue.
The likely causes of this problem are: a doctor shortage due to the artificial limitations imposed on the number of students graduating from medical schools; the increasing number of doctors who are retiring due to burnout; and the expanding number of people who are covered by government health insurance (Medicare and Medicaid) without adequate planning.
In 1997, the U.S. Congress thought medical schools were graduating too many physicians. That year, Congress imposed a cap on the number of resident physicians whose training is supported by Medicare. This cap still in effect with minimal increase. Also, medical schools limit the number of medical students they accept. These outdated caps have become an obstacle to providing the adequate number of doctors essential to offer the high-quality affordable care that our citizens deserve.
This shortage should be addressed immediately by increasing or eliminating these caps and taking other appropriate measures.
George A. Elmaraghy,
Columbus