David Lazarus: California faces a doctor shortage. But doctors just derailed a plan to fix it
State lawmakers had a chance Thursday to vote on ensuring that all Californians get the healthcare they need. Instead of rising to the occasion, they punted.
No, the matter at hand wasn't a single-payer bill to provide universal coverage, although that would be a good thing too.
Rather, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee decided to put off a vote until next year on a bill that would expand the ability of nurse practitioners to treat patients.
Such a move would go a long way toward addressing a severe shortage of primary-care doctors and would align us with other states that have adopted similar measures.
