Physicians have always been considered one of the most prestigious professions in the United States. It's among lawyers and political leaders. Doctors they are generally considered pillars of their communities. From the beginning to the end of our lives, we spend a lot of time with our doctor. It would make sense that we would want to know that there will always be enough to cover all Americans. With the addition of millions of previously uninsured Americans, thanks to new health care reform, the looming threat of a doctor shortage is real, and perhaps one we may not be facing. no real answer. Currently, in the United States, there are approximately 350,000 primary care physicians. -caregiving physicians, and the college association says we will need at least 45,000 more by 2020. However, in recent years, the number of medical students turning to medicine family has actually decreased. (Stalin, Wang) CNBC's Mark Koba says the U.S. is short about 16,000 primary care doctors. That leaves about 55 million people without a doctor or struggling to find one. He goes on to explain that one of the reasons for the shortage is the aging of doctors and their patients. He says nearly half of doctors are nearing retirement age, working fewer hours and seeing fewer patients. According to CNN's Jen Christensen who spoke with Dr. Ryan A. Stanton of Georgetown Community Hospital, Dr. Stanton is concerned that the influx of "Obamacare" patients could crash the system. Although Dr. Stanton sees trauma in the emergency room, many of the patients he sees are not emergent. "People turn to emergency rooms because they have no other place to go after hours or because they do not have access to an appropriate primary car level...... middle from paper ......e News Network, October 2, 2013. Web, October 23, 2013. Koba, Mark. “Doctor shortage worsens,” CNBC, March 13, 2013. Web, October 23, 2013. Lowery, Ann and Robert Pear. “The New York Times (nd): A1. The New York Times. The New York Times, July 29, 2012. Web. October 23, 2013Pericak, Arlene “Increased autonomy for nurse practitioners as a solution to the problem.” » The Journal of the New York State Nurses Association 42.1-2 (2011): 5-7. New York State Nurses Association Web, October 24, 2013. SATAline, Suzanne and Shirley S. Wang. Up." The Wall Street Journal (nd): n. pag. The Wall Street Journal. Web. November 3, 2013. Ubel, Peter. "Solving the Primary Care Physician Shortage by Turning PCPs into Anesthesiologists." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, February 18, 2013. The web November 3.. 2013.