The health care collision course

MEDFORD, Ore. - A collision within American health care is expected in the next few years. A current shortage of doctors and nurses could be compounded by millions more Americans seeking medical care because of the health care reform bill.

April 06, 2010 Portland, Ore.

In four years some 32-million more Americans will seek care at clinics and hospitals due to the health care reform bill.

"The Oregon Center for Nursing, even before health care reform, anticipated the additional need for over 15,000 nurses just in the state of Oregon in the next 15 years," said Dr. Joanne Noone with the OHSU School of Nursing.

Medical experts say if a major influx of nurses and doctors don't fill the gap, patient care will decline.