February 2024

New Jersey's Physician Shortage

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then New Jersey must be flooded with apples

By Mayor Brad Cohen, East Brunswick, and NJLM Executive Board

Recently, the American Medical Association (AMA) predicted that it anticipates a shortage of 55,000 to 139,000 physicians by 2034. While this shortage will have the greatest impact on rural and tribal regions, New Jersey is not immune. As the most densely populated state, we do not need to be down to our last physician before we feel the effects of a shortage. And in such a state, the reductions are disproportionately felt by marginalized and low-income residents.

While shortages are expected in all physician specialties, it is the primary care area that is affected the most. You don’t believe me? Well, good luck delivering a baby in Cape May County because the last maternity hospital in the county closed that service because the hospital could not find any OB/ GYN physicians to service the entire county. The average wait time for a new appointment with a primary care physician in most parts of New Jersey is now about 6 months. Approximately 35% of patients in New Jersey reported difficulty getting appointments with doctors in 2019 (before the pandemic). That number has skyrocketed following the pandemic.

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Labor Negotiations

The New Jersey League of Municipalities has partnered with NJ Community Solutions to provide a new educational program that will teach individuals about the practical side of managing municipalities in our great State. This month Labor Consultant, Matthew Watkins, highlights Series 3 of the workshops focusing on Human Relations subject matters.

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