Doctor shortage spreading in U.S. presaged in Las Vegas

Doctor shortages are fairly common in rural areas, but the problem is now popping up in large cities, including Las Vegas with a population of 2 million people. The Association of American Medical Colleges puts the national shortage at more than 13,000 doctors. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are picking up some of the slack, but they can’t replace specialists. This shortage is coming at a tough time when the elder population in the U.S. is skyrocketing and 30 million more people will gain insurance coverage in 2014 under PPACA.