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Idaho Physician Shortage Facts

02/08/2024

THE PROBLEM

Physician supply lags patient demand nationally and across Idaho. As supply falls, patients wait longer to see a doctor, and doctors burn out.

The U.S. is projected to have 120,000 too few doctors nationally.

Nearly 40% of American physicians will reach retirement age by 2030.¹
By 2030, the United States will face a shortage of over 120,000 physicians.²

Idaho is projected to be short 1,743 doctors by 2030.

Idaho ranks in the bottom half of all states for primary care doctor availability and for overall physician supply.⁴

39 of Idaho’s 44 counties are health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).⁵

Low-income citizens are disproportionately affected by these shortages.
HPSA designations indicate areas where there are 3,500 or more patients for every one provider.⁶