Access to surgical care poses significant challenges for roughly 100 million Americans, representing one in three individuals who face inadequate healthcare options. This disparity incurs a staggering $1 billion annually in preventable healthcare costs and contributes to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Key barriers include rural geography, hospital closures, and systemic issues affecting marginalized communities. Effective solutions must address these complex factors to enhance both accessibility and affordability of quality surgical services nationwide.
Journal Article by Johnson SM and Miller-Hammond K in Am Surg