Access to primary care is a challenge for many individuals with health coverage as well as the uninsured. Thirteen percent of U.S. residents (44 million) live in a county with a primary care physician shortage, defined as less than one primary care physician per 2,000 individuals. The primary care access challenge has impacts on rural, urban, and suburban communities. A report from UnitedHealthGroup discusses the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in meeting this challenge.
The report can be obtained at https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/2018/UHG-Primary-Care-Report-2018.pdf.