California facing shortage of primary-care doctors

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Nov 29, 2012

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California facing shortage of primary-care doctors

The California Report's Susan Valot reports the healthcare industry is trying to shore up the number of such physicians, but the fruits of that effort might not come soon enough.

A doctor uses a stethoscope on a patient on September 5, 2012 in Berlin, Germany. Doctors in the country are demanding higher payments from health insurance companies (Krankenkassen). Over 20 doctors' associations are expected to hold a vote this week over possible strikes and temporary closings of their practices if assurances that a requested additional annual increase of 3.5 billion euros (4,390,475,550 USD) in payments are not provided. The Kassenaerztlichen Bundesvereinigung (KBV), the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, unexpectedly broke off talks with the health insurance companies on Monday.

The California Report's Susan Valot reports the healthcare industry is trying to shore up the number of such physicians, but the fruits of that effort might not come soon enough.

The conversion to electrical medical records isn't the only challenge the nation faces as President Obama's health care law kicks into gear. The nation is also having a hard time finding family doctors, especially here in California.

The California Report's Susan Valot reports the healthcare industry is trying to shore up the number of such physicians, but the fruits of that effort might not come soon enough.