Research Brief: Insurance Coverage and Access to Care in Primary Care Shortage Areas

As both federal and state governments gear up to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), concerns about the supply and distribution of physicians, particularly primary care physicians, are being raised. In many areas of the country, there is a shortage of primary care physicians, and some worry about whether the current workforce can meet the growing demand for services that will likely accompany coverage expansions.

To inform provider workforce issues related to health reform, this brief examines insurance coverage and access to care among the population residing in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), which are areas with documented shortages of physicians and other health providers.

Brief (.pdf)