Physician Shortage

The Problem

Long Island's healthcare workforce faces multiple pressures. The seasonal population doubles healthcare demand during July and August, exactly when many providers take vacation. Rural and underserved areas struggle to attract specialists.

Workforce Development Solutions

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Federal and state loan forgiveness programs can attract physicians to underserved areas:

• Expand federal National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness for physicians in underserved areas
• State programs targeting primary care, psychiatry, and obstetrics
• Tie forgiveness to multi-year service commitments (3-5 years)
• Include nurse practitioners and physician assistants in programs

Residency Expansion

Training more physicians locally increases retention:

• Increase residency slots at Stony Brook University Hospital and regional hospitals
• Target specialties with greatest shortages (primary care, psychiatry, OB-GYN)
• Create rural and community health training tracks
• Offer loan repayment during residency training

Scope of Practice Reform

Allowing other healthcare professionals to practice at the top of their license:

• Allow nurse practitioners to practice independently (23 states already allow this)
• Expand telehealth authority for all licensed providers
• Create community health worker certification and Medicaid reimbursement
• Enable pharmacist prescribing for common conditions

Telehealth Expansion

• Make pandemic telehealth flexibilities permanent
• Require insurance coverage parity with in-person visits
• Invest in broadband infrastructure for rural areas
• Expand telepsychiatry to address mental health gap

New Access Points