Part of the problem may be that doctors are overutilized because of HMO policy of unlimited visits to one's PCP with no copayment required. Then a copayment of only about $20 to see a specialist.
Some people are on regular Medicare with insurance to cover the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay. Once they have this insurance, they go doctors quite often just to get their money's worth. I have known some who told me this.
Then healthy people, like myself, are asked to see the doctor twice a year, whether we need it or not. And I don't need it but I go to satisfy my doctor's expectations.
There was a really big doctor shortage during the paleolithic era but nobody complained about it. It was called, "letting nature take it's course". Take care of yourself, be careful, be healthy and don't take your health for granted. Don't play around with nutritionally deficient, processed foods. Educate yourself to know the difference and do the right thing.
If everyone lived a truly healthy lifestyle, doctor usage could be cut in half and there wouldn't be any doctor shortage.
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