Government Healthcare Policy, Business and Technology

Lawmakers back legislation addressing Nevada's doctor shortage

Las Vegas Review-Journal: What medical researchers have found is nothing for Nevada to be proud of: There are about 251 physicians for every 100,000 people in the United States, but Nevada doesn’t quite hit 200.

And in Clark County, where most of the Silver State’s explosive growth is felt, the ratio is even worse — 189 physicians per 100,000 residents.

Although the new UNLV School of Medicine is a step toward correcting the decades-old doctor shortage in Nevada, the school’s chief of staff, Maureen Schafer, said Monday that legislation opening up more residency slots at hospitals for the advanced training of new doctors is critical if the Silver State is to climb out of the nation’s cellar when it comes to giving its residents access to health care.

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