Staffing Struggles in Rural Hospitals
Keokuk County Hospital in Sigourney and Washington County Hospital face significant staffing challenges, with both seeking to hire additional physicians amid retirements and a shift away from certain types of care post-COVID-19.
The pandemic has exacerbated the shortage of medical providers in the U.S., with many health workers leaving the profession or reducing their practice areas, especially in rural regions like .
Long-Term Implications and Responses
Experts warn that the U.S. could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, impacting access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations who may resort to emergency rooms for treatment.
Iowa lawmakers are prioritizing the physician shortage, introducing bills for medical student loan forgiveness and seeking federal assistance to increase residency training slots, aiming to mitigate the crisis.