Major Push to Bring Doctors Back to Upstate NY

Upstate New York Leaders Push Major Plan to Tackle Doctor Shortage Crisis

Across large stretches of Upstate New York, finding a doctor has become a growing challenge. Families in rural and small-town communities are facing long waits for appointments, longer drives for basic care, and shrinking access to essential medical services. State Sen. Joseph Griffo and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon say the problem has reached a point where incremental fixes are no longer enough.

That is why the two lawmakers are renewing their push for a sweeping policy initiative aimed at recruiting and retaining physicians while expanding access to care in underserved regions of the state.

Doctor Shortages Leaving Communities Behind

A recent report from the New York State Comptroller highlighted the scope of the problem, examining health care workforce shortages across 16 rural counties. The findings revealed alarming gaps in access to primary care doctors, pediatricians, obstetrician and gynecologists, dentists, and mental health professionals. In some counties, residents have no local access to pediatric or OBGYN care at all.

For families in areas like Chenango and Herkimer counties within the 53rd Senate District, these shortages are more than statistics. They translate into delayed care, overcrowded emergency rooms, and barriers to preventive services that can keep people healthier in the long run.

Griffo and Buttenschon argue that without targeted incentives, these communities will continue to struggle to attract and keep medical professionals.

Strengthening Incentives to Bring Doctors Upstate

At the center of the initiative is a package of legislation introduced by Sen. Griffo, with Assemblywoman Buttenschon sponsoring companion legislation for one of the measures. The proposals aim to remove financial and structural barriers that often discourage doctors from practicing in rural and underserved areas.

One bill would strengthen the Doctors Across New York program by increasing financial support for loan repayment and practice assistance. The program is designed to help train and place physicians in communities that struggle to recruit medical professionals, but supporters say expanding funding would make it more competitive and impactful.

Another proposal would expand access to the Excelsior Scholarship program for students enrolled in state-supported medical schools. The legislation would also reduce tuition costs for certain non-resident students who live close to New York’s borders, making medical education more accessible to those who may ultimately practice in the state.

Expanding Programs to Support Primary Care

The legislative package also seeks to broaden the reach of START-UP NY by allowing primary care physicians to participate. The program, which provides incentives for businesses to establish operations in certain areas, could help physicians offset the costs of opening practices in communities where access to care is limited.

In addition, Griffo’s proposal includes a partial real property tax exemption for clinicians who purchase a primary residence in designated shortage areas while working in those same communities. Supporters say this type of incentive could help anchor medical professionals in regions that often struggle with retention.

Developed with Input from Medical Professionals

The initiative was shaped through discussions with physicians from across Upstate New York, including Dr. Michael Ratner, the late Dr. John DeTraglia, Dr. Sudershan Dang, Dr. Steven Kussin, and other active and retired medical professionals. Lawmakers say these conversations helped identify the real-world barriers doctors face when considering rural practice.

Griffo noted that while Doctors Across New York has successfully placed physicians in underserved areas, shortages persist in both urban and rural communities. Buttenschon emphasized that limited access to care is not just a health care issue, but a quality-of-life issue that affects families, workers, and local economies.

Together, the lawmakers say the goal is straightforward: make it easier for doctors to choose Upstate New York—and easier for residents to get the care they need close to home.