Nevada Doctor Shortages Likely to Get Worse

There aren’t enough doctors in Nevada, and the shortage is likely to get worse as tens of thousands of people become newly insured under the federal health care overhaul.

A study released this year by University of Nevada School of Medicine researcher John Packman ranked Nevada 46th in the nation for its share of primary care doctors, family care specialists and pediatricians.

To compound the problem, Nevada’s Medicaid enrollments are projected to swell from 313,000 to about 490,000 by 2015 under the health care overhaul.

Officials with the Nevada State Medical Association say it’s not likely the state will be able to recruit enough to meet demands.

Hospital officials note that it’s especially difficult to persuade doctors to settle in the state’s rural areas.