Doctor dilemma: Calif. needs more physicians | News

SACRAMENTO, CA - State officials working on implementing the federal Affordable Care Act are bumping up against a major obstacle:  a shortage of doctors. With California preparing to expand health coverage to millions of currently uninsured residents, more doctors will be needed.

Right now, there aren't enough physicians to go around. Covered California, the state-run health insurance marketplace which will be up and running in October, is mandating that any health plans in its system prove they have enough doctors to meet their patients' needs.

"Covered California is requiring the health plans that are in our marketplace to change how they pay for care to be part of the solution to make sure that we have enough doctors, nurses, pharmacists at the bedside and in the offices to meet Californians' needs," said Cover California Executive Director, Peter Lee.

Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley has previously urged lawmakers to look into legislation that gives some health professionals a bigger role in care giving. Legislators are working on potential legislation which would allow physician assistants and nurse practitioners to treat some patients.