A look inside Yuma County’s doctor shortage
When it comes to doctor availability, the current prognosis for Arizona is not good. Which is why local health companies are creating incentives to bring in a flow of new doctors to Yuma County.
Sunset Community Health is feeling the impact of the state’s doctor shortage.
David Rogers, CEO of Sunset Health said they have more Medicaid patients and uninsured patients in Yuma County than any other provider.
Sunset Health currently employs 38 medical providers which include 12 of those who are doctors.
The problem according to Rogers is that they cannot get people to commit to the desert southwest living environment.
To make matters worse, the hiring process is longer than most, which graduates shy away from because of the need to repay their school loans back.
That is why recently the state legislative just approved additional money for the student loan forgiveness plan for doctors, so it can help applicants during their job search.
Rogers said the Health Center uses residency programs which helps increase the potential of resident medicine graduates stay in Arizona upon graduation.
Legislative just approved the number of residency slots to be increased to help the smaller communities.
Sunset Health is trying to get students interested in health care at a young age by spending time at schools and educating them.
They hope students will want to grow up and follow through with becoming a medical professional.
Copyright 2019 KYMA
