Article Summary –
Michigan faces a significant shortage of medical providers, projected to lack at least 800 primary care doctors by 2030, which contributes to longer wait times and reduced care coordination for patients. To mitigate these shortages, Michigan lawmakers have introduced bills to grant nurse practitioners more autonomy and to allow internationally trained physicians to practice without repeating post-graduate training, alongside licensing dental therapists to address dental care deficits. However, there is resistance from some healthcare professionals who argue that increasing autonomy for non-physicians could compromise patient care quality.
Much like the rest of the country, Michigan faces a critical shortage of medical providers, with experts warning it could worsen. The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine projects a deficit of at least 800 primary care doctors by 2030.
The doctor shortage in Michigan may lead to various healthcare challenges, such as extended wait times for appointments, less face time with physicians, delayed treatment for both chronic and immediate health issues, and poor coordination between primary care providers and specialists.
In a 2023 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Dr. Jean H.C. Wong, a family medicine physician, highlighted the need to increase the ratio of medical students entering family medicine residencies from 1 in 8 to 1 in 4 to mitigate the shortage.
A 2024 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges indicated a looming physician shortage of up to 86,000 across the U.S. by 2036.
Michigan legislators have proposed bills to address the shortage. House Bill 4399 and Senate Bill 268 aim to revise licensing laws, granting nurse practitioners more autonomy to provide care without a supervising physician. Introduced in April 2025, H.B. 4399 passed the House Health Policy Committee and awaits review by the House Rules Committee. S.B. 268 is under review by the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs.
According to Mayo Clinic, nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses capable of diagnosing and treating illnesses and prescribing medication. Naila Russell, from the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners, emphasized the restrictions they face in prescribing controlled substances without physician delegation, despite their training.
Russell noted that most nurse practitioners work in primary care, the area hardest hit by the physician shortage. “Statistics show a high percentage of nurse practitioners in primary care, while many physicians opt for specialties,” she said.
The Center for Health Care Strategies reports that 58 of 83 Michigan counties face dental care shortages. Increasing dental therapists, who are mid-level oral health professionals, is a potential solution. In January 2025, Michigan licensed its first dental therapist.
Addressing the shortage of dental providers could involve expanding dental therapy programs. Dana Obey, Michigan’s first licensed dental therapist, highlighted the lack of dental care in rural areas in an op-ed for Bridge Michigan.
Educational debt also plays a role; dental school students average $296,500 in debt, while dental therapists accumulate about half. The dental therapy program at Skagit Valley College costs approximately $113,000, per the college’s FAQ page.
Another proposal to alleviate the provider shortage involves House Bill 4925, introduced by Rep. Phil Green, to allow internationally trained physicians to practice in Michigan without repeating U.S. post-graduate training. This bill is in a second reading in the Health Policy Committee. The Federation of State Medical Boards reports 18 states permit international physicians full licensure without North American training, and others are considering similar measures.
Not all healthcare professionals support these alternative solutions. The Michigan Academy of Family Physicians argues against non-physicians diagnosing and treating patients without oversight. “We need standardization in practice laws,” Russell added, noting the inconsistent regulations across states.
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