Essex and Franklin Counties were among the 16 rural counties studied that show a doctor shortage.
A new report by the State Comptroller’s office examined healthcare professional shortages in 16 rural counties in NY state. Two of the counties examined were Essex and Franklin. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said the report shows an alarming shortfall in primary care, pediatric, and obstetrician and gynecologists with several counties having no pediatricians or OBGYN doctors at all. The shortage of mental health practitioners in NY’s rural counties may be the most severe, DiNapoli said, with all counties designated by the federal government as having professional shortages. The report offered a few strategies to increase healthcare access such as telemedicine, Mobile clinics and School-based health centers.
TAP Falling Behind
