(Radio Iowa) – Leaders of the Iowa Medical Society say the state faces a workforce crisis in the health care sector. Dr. Christina Taylor is president of the Iowa Medical Society’s board of directors. “We actually have a very looming physician shortage and it’s a real issue and we’re concerned about the ability to maintain proper access to Iowans,” Taylor says. Iowa already ranks 45th in doctor-to-patient ratio. “As of recent data, we have about 5778 doctors, down from 5900 a year ago,” Taylor says, “so we are seeing the number of practicing physicians decrease.”

Iowa Medical Society CEO Steve Churchill, Dr. Christina Taylor and Dr. Gerard Clancy were guests on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS. (Iowa PBS photo)

Dr. Gerard Clancy is a clinical professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine and one of five deans at the University of Iowa’s College of Medicine. He says the number of physicians, nationally, does not match demand. “It’s a complex issue. We have a terrible mismatch of demand for health care versus the supply of health care workers, including the physicians,” Clancy says. “Ten thousand Baby Boomers are retiring every day in America right now. Those Baby Boomers need more health care.” Iowa Medical Society C-E-O Steve Churchill says the group will ask the 2025 Iowa Legislature to provide state funding to significantly increase the residency slots for medical students at Iowa hospitals and academic centers.

“That is the leading indicator of where a resident will choose to practice is where they went to residency school, a residency slot,” Churchill said. “In Iowa, we have a shortage.” The group will be asking lawmakers to fund creation of 200 more residency slots — at a cost of 20 million dollars a year.

The Iowa Medical Society will also recommend expanding state programs that erase college debt for physicians who choose to practice in Iowa after getting their medical license. The Iowa Medical Society leaders discussed the state’s physician shortage during a weekend appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.