RI medical school and a new health care model are at a pivotal moment Mak Thakur

Guest columnist

AI-assisted summary

Rhode Island has a low uninsured rate but struggles with access to primary and specialty care due to physician shortages.

The author argues for building a public physician and hospital system before or alongside a new University of Rhode Island medical school.

Expanding the delivery system first would create a stable network for new medical graduates to join, ensuring a homegrown workforce.

Rhode Island is at a crossroads in health care. We are fortunate to have one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation – just 2.2% in 2024 – yet residents struggle with access to both primary and specialty care.

Physician shortages, uneven workforce distribution and misaligned payment incentives have created bottlenecks that coverage alone cannot solve. The U