New York Officials Urged to Address 'Physician Burnout'

by M.C. Millman

The Medical Society of the State of New York is urging New York officials to address physician burnout exasperated by increased healthcare shortages across New York State. 

Parag Mehta, president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, highlighted several factors increasing doctor burnout, including high liability insurance costs, authorization, and claim requirements. 

"Our state's dedicated and world-renowned physicians are being driven to the brink by a perfect storm of Medicare cuts," Mehta was quoted by State of Politics, "the country's highest liability insurance costs, and excessive and unnecessary authorization and claim hassles imposed by enormously profitable health insurance companies," 

According to The Physicians Foundation 2022 Physician Survey, New York is one of the worst states to be a doctor in, with 62% of doctors admitting they suffer from burnout, an increase from 40% the year before. In a separate Medscape report released in May, one in ten physicians surveyed admitted to either having contemplated or attempted suicide.

Legislation that could assist in alleviating issues for doctors, including ending so-called "fail first" requirements for mental health medications and a measure aimed at ensuring qualified health plan claim review were both vetoed by Governor Kathy Hochul. 

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