Lack of Latino physicians a bigger problem

Guest Opinion: Lack of physicians is a bigger problem
By Ralph M. Ochoa, Attorney, The Latino Journal E-News

I am compelled to write this out of frustration! I attended the hearing at the Capitol (Sacramento) regarding disparities in access to medical professionals by the minority communities. It was very interesting as far as some new statistics, but bottom line we all are aware that rural areas & urban underserved communities (of color) have poor access to medical professionals.

My peeve is that while decision makers & opinion makers are talking about health care reform & universal health care & covering millions more person in the USA; virtually no one is talking about the "shortage of doctors" in California & the whole USA!

In California alone, there is a doctor shortage of 17,000. It takes 7 - 10 years for an entering medical student to become a practicing physician; and, longer, if the doctor does a residency in any specialty.

Therefore, the obvious question is: do al the people talking about providing medical insurance coverage for millions more Americans 'know what they are talking about"? If we are successful to any extent in increasing coverage to more people, without increasing the number of doctors, we are exacerbating the current problem - not solving it!

I have been working on the medical school issue with UC Merced, UC Riverside and the UC Office of the President & the UC Regents. Yes, the problem is the lack of funds. However, I maintain that the Caucuses of minority legislators should make two new medical schools, one at UC Merced & the other at UC Riverside, the number one priority. This can be the real legacy for all those legislators & for the Governor. We must have an education facilities bond initiative to raise sufficient funds to begin the medical schools at once! Time is of the essence! Unfortunately, all the hard work by Obama, the Congress, labor unions, health organizations, state legislators, et al, is for nothing, without immediately addressing the issue of the shortage of doctors & asking ourselves, " Who is going to give medical care to these newly covered/insured persons?"

Statistics illustrate that in the next 7 - 9 years, a person possessing the financial wherewithal to pay for medical care, will be unable to obtain TIMELY medical attention for themselves or their loved ones.

We must get our priorities in order!