Western Pennsylvania Residents Face Health Care Access Problem

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 11 Feb 2006 - 15:00 PDT

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The Pennsylvania Medical Society has become aware of a situation developing in Somerset County. The Borough of Confluence recently lost its only physician, and now, according to news reports, will lose its only clinic.

Reports from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review indicate that former patients in the area will now need to travel between 30 to 65 minutes to receive care.

According to the Somerset Daily American, 100 of the clinic's patients have been able to move their care to doctor offices associated with Somerset Hospital; however, another 2,600 patients have not made a move yet.

The Daily American quoted Somerset Hospital CEO Michael Farrell as indicating practice environment including high liability insurance rates and reimbursement issues makes it difficult to recruit physicians to Pennsylvania.

The Daily American also mentioned that Somerset County Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes is exploring transportation resources to assist residents who now must travel a distance for care. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review also reported problems associated with rural health care recruitment.

In response, the Pennsylvania Medical Society issued a letter to the editor of the Somerset Daily American to express the Society's concern for the situation. It is pasted below.

To read more about this situation, visit the Somerset Daily American story at
dailyamerican.com/articles/2006/02/09/news/thursday/news06.txt.
Or the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review at
pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_421719.html

Pennsylvania Medical Society
http://www.pamedsoc.org

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