The United States is suffering a national shortage of doctors that hits working-class areas the hardest.
One-fifth of the U.S. population, roughly 60 million people, live in medically under-served areas—usually rural areas
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To fill the gap, foreign physicians have been brought in, although physicians from Arab countries and those with large Muslim populations increasingly run into restrictions resulting from the racist “war on terror.”
Recruiting doctors from oppressed countries only exacerbates global health inequities. Most such doctors have been trained in publicly funded medical schools. The cost of training is thus borne by the country of origin, while the imperialist country reaps the benefits.
Why do millions in the world’s richest country face a shortage of physicians? The U.S. capitalist system is the reason.
The cost of medical school in the United States is prohibitive and leaves young doctors with exorbitant debt.
Moreover, the medical insurance industry places high malpractice insurance fees on physicians.
Physicians also often work within “managed healthcare” corporations. The primary concern of these enterprises is profit. Medical decisions are made on the basis of cost, not patient health.
These problems cause doctors to take high-paying jobs in relatively wealthy areas and urban centers. Many choose to go into private practice or seek alternate professions.
What is the solution?
In Cuba, a socialist country with few resources, everyone receives free, accessible health care. There is a nationwide network of physicians and nurses, and each neighborhood-based team serves a population of only 600 to 800 people, with family physicians on call 24 hours a day.
With socialist planning, there is no shortage of doctors because medical training is free, and health care is considered a basic human right.
