Wait time: 5 minutes

Wait time: 17 minutes

Wait time: 28 minutes 

Next available appointment: Two months from now

Sound familiar? 

Many Sullivan County residents face long hold times on the phone to see a doctor, and then when they do get through appointments are far off. This begs the question–how is it possible to get care?

A new report from the Office of the New York State Comptroller is confirming what residents of Sullivan County have known for far too long, there are not enough doctors to meet the needs of patients.

As we reported in the Democrat last week, Sullivan County has been designated a Health Professional Shortage Area, and its residents are severely underserved when it comes to healthcare across all spectrums, from primary care to dentists and mental health. 

The report found that Sullivan County only has 2.5 primary care physicians per 10,000 people, which is among the lowest of rural counties in New York.

Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday announced nearly $300 million in new state funding to support healthcare transformation projects across New York. 

The awards, made through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV, will support more than 50 projects aimed at expanding access to inpatient, primary, behavioral health and long-term care services. But Sullivan County wasn’t named as one of the benefactors. 

We believe that healthcare organizations and governments on the local and state level should work on improving and increasing healthcare in Sullivan County. 

While many groups are doing good work to improve the overall health for all residents from children to seniors, being able to see a doctor is an important part of one’s health. 

Let’s not lose focus on bettering access to primary, inpatient, behavioral health, and long-term care services; updating our infrastructure; and attracting more healthcare workforce.