Can’t find a physician

Wed., Jan. 13, 2016

I grew up in Spokane and have returned after 35 years in New York. I was able to get health insurance, but no doctor will accept it. Although the Washington State Exchange website lists hundreds of doctors and says they’re accepting new patients, when I call, I’m told they’re not.

I’ve spoken to various health care providers and they all tell me that there is a profound shortage of primary care physicians here. (I know of one doctor who has a six-month waiting list just to get an appointment.)

I wish somebody would have told me this before I decided to retire here.

Stevan Alburty

Liberty Lake

Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

No more than 250 words
We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form: Submit your letter here
Mail: Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email: editor@spokesman.com
Fax: (509) 459-3815
Phone: (509) 459-5430