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Future Physicians of America™ - Promoting Access to Care in Underserved Areas In contrast to the widely reported nursing shortage, the national supply of physicians exceeds standards of national requirements according to a series of physician workforce studies conducted during the past 25 years. The Graduate Medical Education National Advisory Committee determined in 1980 that a ratio of 171 physicians per 100,000 people was an adequate standard. The committee currently estimates that there are more than 260 physicians per 100,000 people. The Council on Graduate Medical Education notes that from 1985 to 1995 the country added roughly 29,700 new physicians each year while only 9,200 left practice annually. These statistics are slightly misleading, however. Despite the growth in the supply of physicians, access to health care remains a persistent problem. Barriers to care include an uneven distribution of physicians among geographic areas and disparities in the availability of healthcare services among population groups, particularly among minority and disadvantaged populations. The federal Bureau of Health Professions designated 2,790 urban and rural areas as primary care health professions shortage areas. Another 653 areas have been designated as HPSAs for mental health services, and 1,157 areas have been designated as shortage areas for dental services. In addition, a looming shortage of physicians prompted the American Association of Medical Colleges to instruct medical schools to increase enrollment by 15 percent within the decade. The Council on Graduate Medical Education projects a shortage of 85,000 physicians by 2020. Your contribution addresses the shortages of healthcare professionals in two ways: by creating scholarship/loan repayment, and by providing physicians with incentives to deliver care in rural and underserved areas. Many graduates of medical school are now facing higher and higher academic debit as a result of the increased cost of their education. Your contribution eases the financial burden of a medical education and provide financial incentives for practitioners. Financial support for graduate medical education also enables physicians to enter medical specialties that are needed to meet the nation's healthcare needs, but that are not the most financially rewarding. More Action Needed Providing adequate and readily accessible health care in underserved communities has been an increasing challenge in many states. Economic growth prompts many healthcare professionals to leave rural and underserved communities and seek work in areas where there are cutting-edge technologies and abundant educational opportunities. States have focused intently on shoring up the nursing supply for both rural and urban communities, but their progress in promoting the quality and accessibility of physicians in rural and underserved areas has been more limited. We encourage you to become a benefactor and become informed about the efforts of legislators in their states that encourage physicians to practice in their communities. $2,500 Club $2500.00 $1,000 Club $1000.00