PA Healthcare Shortages Strain Rural Patient Access

Rural Pennsylvanians face barriers to healthcare as provider shortages and maternity care gaps remain common across the state. Nearly 3.4 million people living in Pennsylvania’s 48 rural counties often rely on fewer hospitals and medical practices.  Doctor Lorraine Rosamilia, chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, says patients travel for most forms of medical care, including both primary and emergency services…

“The workforce itself is an interesting predicament because we do have lots of medical schools in Pennsylvania. Although that’s true, a lot of the medical students who graduate don’t stay in the state, and so we have to figure out why.”