Shortage of Rural Doctors Won’t End Anytime Soon, Report Says

A new Commonwealth Fund report highlights a persistent shortage of primary care physicians in rural America, where communities currently have only about two-thirds of the doctors they need—a gap expected to continue for at least the next decade. Nearly 92% of rural counties are classified as primary care shortage areas, leaving roughly 43 million residents with limited access to care.

Rural patients are also less likely to use telehealth due to broadband limitations. While physician supply lags demand, rural nurse practitioners are increasingly filling gaps, reflecting broader national growth in this workforce. Federal programs aim to incentivize clinicians to practice in underserved areas. Read more from Stateline here.