THE PROBLEM

Why are Primary Care physicians leaving New Jersey?

We've imposed too many burdens on them

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-Dist. 13), discusses the state's obligation to support primary care physicians.  

The word is out: NJ is not a primary care-friendly state

  • Other states are investing in primary care medicine, while New Jersey has not.
  • Other states offer higher Medicaid and commercial insurance reimbursement rates, primary care incentives, more generous and functional primary care loan redemption and have medical schools invested in developing the state's primary care workforce.
  • Other states retain over 60% of their primary care medicine residents, while New Jersey continues to export 60% of our medical residents taking with them the millions of graduate medical education dollars invested by the state.
  • Other states do not impose the administrative burdens or interfere with the physician-patient relationship like NJ. 

NJ RANKS NEAR THE BOTTOM IN PAY AND JOB SATISFACTION

  • NJ is ranked the worst state in America to practice medicine.
  • Increased administrative burdens:  Over 65% of PCPs devote at least 10 hours in paperwork and administrative tasks and 20% devote over 20 hours per week.
  • Reduced face time with patients: PCPs spend more screen time than face time per patient visit.
  • Low compensation: Family Medicine had the second lowest compensation in 2017 Medscape Report.
  • Unfriendly environment: Medical students in NJ medical schools are often discouraged from choosing primary care.
  • Low job satisfaction:  Family Medicine and General Internal Medicine physicians were least likely to choose their specialty if they still chose to practice medicine

NJ PRIMARY CARE STUDENT DEBT IS RISING

  • Medical students have increased levels of undergraduate debt
  • Medical school tuition is rising and financed at rates up to 8-11% interest
  • Medical school loans accrue interest over a primary care physician’s residency
  • Medical school loan options for consolidation and refinancing vary significantly.

NJ’S PRIMARY CARE LOAN REDEMPTION PROGRAM IS INACCESSIBLE AND UNCOMPETITIVE WITH OTHER STATES

  • NJ’s primary care loan redemption program is a non-starter and has not served its purpose to increase access to primary care in medical underserved communities.
  • Other states offer higher loan programs and are more accessible to primary care physicians.
  • Priority eligible sites to hire under the program are prison systems and FQHCs.
  • Many private practices in underserved communities have been denied approval as an eligible site to hire physicians under the program.
  • Income from PCLRP is taxable to the physician and the $120,000 has remained stagnant.
  • Funds remain uncommitted each year with no shortage of applicants and sites wanted to hire.
  • There is no accountability of the program to track retention in medically underserved communities.

NJ's primary care incentives lag behind other states

  • Primary care spending – encouraging investment in primary care
  • Multipayer primary care infrastructure investment
  • Primary care revenue enhancement strategies
  • Practice transformation Supports