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The U.S. healthcare workforce crisis is getting worse. A new report from healthcare education company Covista projects the national clinician shortage will nearly double by 2040, driving up patient costs and wait times. The good news? The right mix of workforce investment, AI-driven efficiency, and a shift toward preventive care could close 92% of that gap.
The U.S. healthcare system is already stretched thin — over 108 million Americans live in primary care shortage areas — and things are on track to get worse. A new report from Covista projects the national clinician shortage will nearly double by 2040, fueled by burnout, an aging workforce, and a pipeline that can't keep up with demand. Patients are already feeling the pinch, paying an estimated $430 more per year due to overtime costs, temp staffing, and overcrowded ERs.
But the crisis isn't inevitable. Covista's analysis suggests the industry could close 92% of the projected gap through a combination of targeted strategies — and no single fix does it alone.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Solving the workforce shortage isn't just an industry problem — it's a patient safety issue. Covista estimates that closing the nursing gap alone could save nearly 100,000 lives by 2040, while addressing the physician shortage could add more than 6 months to average life expectancy.