In many parts of America, getting basic medical care means long drives, longer waits, and not enough providers. Even in urban areas, appointment backlogs and ballooning costs make it difficult to see a doctor quickly. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of highly trained nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are blocked from filling this need by outdated laws. Expanding their scope of practice isn’t radical—it’s the fastest, most cost-effective way to close the access gap, lower prices, and bring competition back to a system that desperately needs it.
In rural communities, doctor shortages translate into life-threatening delays and chronic gaps in care. Hospitals and clinics often struggle to hire and keep physicians, leaving entire counties without access to primary care, let alone specialists. This lack of coverage means patients must travel hours for routine visits if there is a doctor to see at all. The result is higher rates of death from preventable illness and chronic conditions—driven by a system that makes it too hard for qualified non-physician providers to step in.
In low-income urban neighborhoods, physician shortages compound existing health disparities and overwhelm already strained clinics. Even when facilities exist, residents often face weeks-long waits, limited hours, and bureaucratic hurdles that discourage timely care. Without enough providers, these communities see higher rates of emergency room use for non-emergencies and poor chronic disease management.
Justin Leventhal is a senior policy analyst for the American Consumer Institute, a nonprofit education and research organization that advocates for consumers through evidence-based analysis and data. Follow Justin on X @JustinLeventhal.