In many industrialized countries other than the U.S., a significant proportion of physicians are general practitioners. For example, in Great Britain, more than 60% are general practitioners and in the Canada, more than 50%. In the U.S. approximately one-third of physicians are generalists (general and family practitioners, general internists, and general pediatricians).
Assume you are Chair of the Health Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee. What legislation might you propose to increase the proportion of generalist physicians? Why is this important? How will this benefit society? What are the risks or downsides of increasing the proportion of generalist physicians?
