Rhode Island's Primary Care Crisis: Exploring Solutions Through a New Medical School

Rhode Island’s healthcare system is often praised for its quality, ranking among the top five states overall and fourth for primary care availability. However, this positive outlook masks a growing crisis. At the first meeting of a commission exploring the creation of a medical school at the University of Rhode Island (URI), Michael Fine, former director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, presented troubling data showing a significant shortage of primary care providers.

The state faces the loss of hundreds of primary care physicians due to retirement. With 348 primary care doctors over 60, Rhode Island could lose up to 110 annually in the coming years. Meanwhile, fewer than a dozen Rhode Islanders graduate from medical school each year with an interest in primary care, deepening the healthcare gap. In response, the Rhode Island Senate formed a commission in June to explore opening a new medical school at URI, aiming to address the physician shortage and the high cost of medical education.

Currently, Brown University’s Warren Alpert School of Medicine is the state’s only option, but its steep tuition and low acceptance rate limit access for many.

Fine stressed the urgent need for more primary care physicians, especially in fields like family medicine and pediatrics, which reduce healthcare costs through prevention. Yet, primary care faces challenges: an aging workforce, low pay, high overhead, and administrative burdens that deter students. Limited insurance reimbursements further hinder doctors' ability to manage patient care effectively.

The shortage also highlights a diversity gap. Only 4% of family practitioners in Rhode Island are Hispanic, despite nearly 16% of the population identifying as Hispanic. This disparity points to broader challenges in training and retaining healthcare professionals from underrepresented communities. A local medical school at URI could help address this gap, offering students from diverse backgrounds a path into medicine and encouraging them to serve underserved areas.

The commission, co-chaired by Senator Pamela J. Lauria and URI President Marc Parlange, will spend the next year conducting a feasibility study, assessing the economic impact and potential benefits of a new medical school. Its findings are due to the Senate by December 20, 2025. As Rhode Island faces a primary care crisis, a new medical school at URI could be key to strengthening the workforce, improving diversity, and ensuring broader access to quality care.