OSAGE, Iowa - By 2030, the Association of American Medical Colleges believes there will be a doctor shortage of about a 150,000 across the U.S. That leaves Shelly Russell of Mitchell County Regional Health Center asking county supervisors for recruitment money to get doctors to call towns like Osage home.
“It's expensive to recruit new providers to your community. Many physicians are coming out with student loan debt so the money would be used for that,” Russell said.
Around $40,000 is being granted in total in order to move a surgeon and family practice provider to Mitchell County. Russell explains those at the hospital are going to residencies and medical schools to pitch the idea to soon-to-be graduates. The U.S. Census Bureau projects in 2050 there will be nearly 84 million Americans over the age of 65, and with more health issues that means a need for more physicians to help.
“People going out. They may have a niece, a nephew, son, daughter, cousin, uncle who practice medicine and recruiting them to this area is critical,” Russell said.
According to Nerdwallet, in 2013 an average new doctor will be nearly $170,000  in school debt.