35 Texas Counties Have Zero Physicians....

[global1]

Even if you don't live in Texas, these numbers should scare anyone who cares about rural healthcare, because this crisis is not unique to Texas.

This is a good article about maldistribution of healthcare. It's a wonder anyone wants to live in Texas.


Here's the link: http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/COM-316077/35-Texas-Counties-Have-Zero-Physicians##

[cloudbase]

1. There are some counties in Texas with fewer than

1,000 people, and a bunch more with fewer than 5,000. It would be difficult for a physician to justify opening a practice given those numbers.

Figures from the last census:

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ref/abouttx/popcnty2010-11.html

By the way, I enjoy living in Texas. Warts and all. I've been to plenty of places, and have yet to find Eden.

[kentauros]

2. It's also worth noting that while 35 counties would be an entire state elsewhere in the U.S.,

here, with 254 counties total (the most of any state in the union) that 35 represents only 14% of Texas' total. And like you said, those 35 are incredibly sparsely populated. I'm sure the residents have some means in place for medical care or they wouldn't live in such isolated areas.

[cloudbase]

4. Sparsely populated counties

often get together and establish some type of regional medical center.

Or, a place like Kenedy County isn't all that far from Brownsville or Corpus and can avail themselves of those facilities.

[hollysmom]

5. i understand that.

I am happy to live in NJ a state with seasons, but not too much of them. if it too cold or too hot, it is not for that long. There is hills and beach and places within walking distance and you can live here without a car and get to most places, and NYC is just over there, so you get to the theater, and my town is 25% park land, so the dog and I have 6 different park walks over 2 miles, less if we want to walk all park for 4 miles, there is a small stand of woods and a river path. trains and multiple busses. everything in walking distance, some times I don't move my car for weeks. We don't have deserts, though so you have to get used to humidity in the summer. Even our droughts don't last long. Global warming has brought us more rain. ot fond of a lot of the politics though.

[MineralMan]

3. Not surprising, really.

I've been to Texas. Some counties couldn't support a doctor.

[Binkie The Clown]

6. They don't need doctors. They have Bibles, and god will heal them. n/t

[LeftyMom]

7. To compare, I looked up the least populated county in California's health care.

If you're not familiar with podunk California counties (and why would you be?) Alpine County has 1175 people, one census designated place- Markleeville- and is pretty much the textbook definition of remote. To get there go to Lake Tahoe and then drive south for an hour or so until you run out of people. Markleeville is the wide spot in the road where gas is $6/gallon. Blink and you'll miss it.

There's a public medical clinic in Markleeville for basic medical care on Mondays and Wednesdays. Nobody is turned away for inability to pay or lack of papers. For more significant medical care you'd need to go to another county, for serious emergencies you'd wind up in a helicopter going to Reno.