Washington Physician Shortage Facts
Physician supply lags behind patient demand nationally and across Washington. As supply falls, patients wait longer to see a doctor, and doctors burn out.
By 2030
The U.S. is projected to have 120,000 too few doctors nationally.1,2,3
- Nearly 40% of American physicians will reach retirement age.
- The United States will face a shortage of over 120,000 physicians.
- 32.7% of Washington physicians are within retirement range right now.
Washington is projected to be short 6,037 doctors.4
- Primary care alone is projected to be short 1,695 providers.
Overall, Washington ranks in the bottom half of states for primary care and physician availability.
All 69 of Washington’s counties are health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).5,6
- 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.
Washington’s physician-to-patient ratio is 2 percent worse than the national average.
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