Michigan health care provider shortage: Hospitals, doctors scaling back on services to stay afloat

Kimberly Gill, Anchor

Derick Hutchinson, Lead Digital Editor

DETROIT – The health care provider shortage in Michigan has become a public health crisis, as hospitals and doctor’s offices across the state scale back on services and appointments to stay afloat.

Since 2020, about 30% of dental hygienists in Michigan have left the profession, according to Neema Katibai, of the Michigan Dental Association.

“We’re talking about 3,000 dental hygienists, and we’re also hearing about a lot of difficulties recruiting and retaining the hygienists and assistants who have stayed in the workforce,” Katibai said.

He said the average wait time to see a dentist in the United States is 12-28 days.

Social work and behavioral health positions are also in need of more staff. A new report from the Michigan Health Council found health care jobs in Michigan don’t have enough employees, and that only got worse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Right now, we’re seeing more and more cases of emergency departments on diversion, meaning we are full in terms of our capacity, and we have to send people down the road,” said Brian Peters, of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association.

The report found mental health jobs, such as psychologists and community health workers, are facing immense shortages across Michigan.

“We are seeing longer wait times because of the need increasing,” Peters said.

Melina Brann, the director of policy and advocacy at the National Association of Social Workers, said state officials recognize the need for more social and mental health workers.

“Organizations across the state, and even here in Lansing, have been trying to utilize more recent graduates from social work,” Brann said.

The same report says Michigan will see shortages in nearly every health care role between now and 2032.

Anyone interested in a career in the health care industry can receive on-the-job training from Michigan’s new health centers careers training program.

DETROIT