Massachusetts lawmakers pass legislation to attract more primary care physicians to state as wait times for appointments increase

The average wait time for an appointment with a primary care physician in Massachusetts this year increased to 36 days from 34 days in 2007, according to an annual study by the Massachusetts Medical Society, the AP/Boston Herald reports (AP/Boston Herald, 9/22).

The survey found that among 100 internists in the state, the average wait time for a new patient was 50 days with the longest wait being 100 days, compared with 2004 when the average wait was 47 days and the longest wait was 87 days. The survey also found longer wait times for appointments with obstetrician-gynecologists and family practitioners.

State Senate President Therese Murray (D) said that many of the estimated 439,000 residents who obtained coverage under the Massachusetts health insurance law are having a hard time finding physicians. The medical society found that 42% of primary care physicians have stopped accepting new patients, compared with 33% in 2004.

In an effort to address the doctor shortage, state lawmakers in July approved a package of incentives to attract primary care physicians, the Boston Globe reports. The law provides $1.5 million for the University of Massachusetts Medical School to increase its class size from 103 students to 125 and to waive tuition and fees for those who agree to work as primary care physicians in the state for four years after they graduate. In addition, this year the state is spending $1.7 million to help doctors who work in community health centers pay off their student loans, and at least $500,000 to pay off debt for primary care physicians who work for two years in underserved areas. The law also calls on state lawmakers to create a housing grant or loan program to help doctors buy houses in the state.

However, Bruce Auerbach, president of the medical society and an emergency department physician, said, "One of the things that concerns me is so many of the (legislative) initiatives have a long lag time," adding, "There are things we could do more immediately and aggressively in terms of payment reform and reducing the administrative burden on doctors. Those are the things that are really driving people out of practice" (Kowalczyk, Boston Globe, 9/22).