FACT BRIEFDoes Nevada have one of the worst doctors-per-capita ratios in the country?
YES
Nevada consistently ranks near the bottom among states for doctors per capita.
Nevada had 218.5 active physicians per 100,000 residents — the sixth lowest ratio among states — according to a January 2022 report by Becker’s Hospital Review. Idaho had the fewest active physicians per capita at 196.1 per 100,000, while Massachusetts had the most at 466 per 100,000. Nevada ranked even worse for specialists at 1.07 per 1,000 residents — the third lowest in the nation.
The Association of American Medical Colleges also found that Nevada ranked poorly, with the third lowest direct patient-care physicians per capita and the second lowest active general surgeons per capita in 2020.
Similarly, the CDC reported that in 2018 Nevada had the fourth lowest number of physicians in patient care per capita.
Recent proposals would try to combat Nevada’s physician shortage by offering incentives for doctors to practice in the state, such as increasing access to medical residencies and offering assistance in repaying student loans.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Becker's Hospital Review States ranked by active physicians per capita
Becker's ASC Review All 50 states ranked by specialists per capita
The Association of American Medical Colleges A data-based look at America’s physicians and medical students, state-by-state
Jacky Rosen | US Senator for Nevada ICYMI: Rosen Introduces Package of Bipartisan Bills to Address Doctor Shortage in Nevada
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