Letter to the editor; Causes of future doctor shortage

To the Editor:

We have a problem in the U.S. regarding medical care that was partially caused by Obamacare but also caused by the cost of going to medical school. Our government estimate of being 90,000 physicians short in the year 2020 is not very accurate. They are not considering how much the cost of medical school and the cost of malpractice insurance is causing the possible candidates to change their minds. Becoming a physician assistant takes from four to eight years less time and the median salary in 2010 was $86,000.

Many years ago when I was in college a spouse could get a job and put their husband/wife through medical school with a possible small debt at low interest hanging over their heads. That is all changed with less state funding for colleges, the number of years to complete the program, a huge increase in living expenses and an almost unbelievable rise in tuition, study materials and supplies.

President Obama’s promise that everyone could keep their own doctors is another promise that is mathematically impossible because there will be too many new patients to see. Also, I predict that many physicians will be burned out from Obamacare and will decide to retire early or look for a part-time practice to finish their careers.

Gerald W. Ray

Spokane