New Study to Show U.S. Facing Not Enough Doctors, Nurses in Not Enough Places
** Press Conference Call**
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008, health policy experts will unveil a new study showing that there aren’t enough primary care doctors and nurses at health centers to meet America’s growing health care needs – a situation that can’t be solved just by expanding health insurance coverage. The study finds the availability of a primary care workforce depends on where you live, and primary care clinicians are not located in areas that need them most, especially the poorest communities. Access to primary care has been shown to protect health and cut costs.
The new study includes state-by-state data showing the ratio between primary care providers and patients in health centers, an indication of medically underserved areas. The study also includes state-level projections of how many more primary care doctors, nurses and other providers are required to meet growing patient needs in the years ahead.
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), the Robert Graham Center and George Washington University performed the analysis, which is being released as part of National Health Center Week 2008 (August 10-16).
WHO: Dan Hawkins, Senior Vice President, Programs and Policy, National Association of Community Health Centers (moderator)
Lil Anderson, Chair of the NACHC Board, CEO of RiverStone Health, Billings, MT
Gary Wiltz, Executive Director/Clinical Director, Teche Action Board, Inc., Franklin, LA
WHAT: Press conference call to release study exposing the primary workforce distribution challenges causing critical shortages in many local communities.
WHEN: Monday, August 11, 2008
1:00 PM, EDT
WHERE: Participant Dial In Number: 800-862-9098
Conference ID: 7NACHC
