Rural Patients Losing Access to Independent Physicians, Medical Practices
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Rural areas across the U.S. have experienced alarming losses in healthcare access, with nearly 2,500 physicians and 3,300 practices disappearing between 2019 and 2024, according to new research from Avalere Health and the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI). New York’s rural regions were hit particularly hard, suffering a 49% drop in independent medical practices, higher than the national average of 41% and just below the Northeast’s 50% rate.
The report underscores a stark shift in rural healthcare: 75% of rural physicians are now employed by hospitals or corporate entities, and non-physicians own 61% of rural practices. Private equity firms and insurers expanded aggressively, increasing their rural presence by 92% in practices and 57% in employed physicians over five years.
This growing corporatization is leaving rural patients with fewer options and longer travel times, sometimes hours, for basic care. For physicians committed to preserving patient access and professional autonomy, these findings elevate the urgency of New York physician advocacy.
PAI-Avalere Report: Rural Areas Face Steep Decline in Independent Physicians and Practices
