Fewer Doctors A Possible Result Of State Budget Cuts

Looming budget cuts to the state’s university system could mean fewer doctors in California. This comes as the state already struggles with too few doctors.

California is already in the midst of a doctor shortage -- especially in rural areas. For example, some estimates show Southern Imperial County is short some 5,000 doctors. Meanwhile, California’s public medical schools are already among the most expensive in the nation. Dave Ghana dev is the past president of the California Medical Association, and he said more cuts to undergraduate studies, or tuition increases, could discourage young Californians from becoming doctors.

“And if you’re economically disadvantaged, these cuts make it worse,” Ghana dev said.

Governor-elect Jerry Brown has not specifically suggested how he will reduce higher education funding, only saying he will minimize cuts to public schools. The budget shortfall is projected to be almost $28 billion over nineteen months.

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