I would need to post an argument for a debate for this policy issue. The opposite party’s stand is Loan repayment programs and competitive salaries.
Here’s a transcript of his argument.
Policy Issue: Rural healthcare provider shortage and lack of recruitment and retention.
Major stakeholders (interested parties): Medicare and Medicaid recipients, all tax payers, and providers who may consider practicing in rural areas. More resources for all if fixed—if one group benefits, all do, in my opinion.
Shortage of Providers in Rural Areas
1. Primary Care: 13.1 PCPs per 10,000 in rural areas vs 31.2 PCPs per 10,000 in urban areas. 763.35 patients per provider!!! (National Rural Health Association, 2020).
2. Specialists: 30 per 100,000 of general population (rural), compared to 263 per 100,000 of general population (urban) (National Rural Health Association, 2020).
3. About 20% of the US population—more than 50 million people—live in rural areas, but only 9% of the nation’s physician’s practice in rural communities (Rosenblatt, R. A., & Hart, L. G., 2000).
Reasons for a Lack of Providers
1. A heavy workload, with a large number of patients to see and patients who require more care
2. Difficulty taking time off
3. Challenges in maintaining professional boundaries
4. Limited job opportunities for spouses
5. Availability of afterschool programs and daycare
Solutions
Loan repayment programs and competitive salaries (Rural Health Information Hub, 2018).