The walk-in clinic I go to for minor health problems, like a bad cut or poison ivy, uses nurse practitioners. I believe the way this particular clinic works is it is in a group of 4 clinics and there is a supervising doctor.
Hint: There are slightly less than 5,000 Walmart stores in US.
Nurse practitioners are advanced registered nurses educated and trained to provide health promotion and maintenance through the diagnosis and treatment of acute illness and chronic condition. According to the International Council of Nurses, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is "a registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which s/he is credentialed to practice. A master's degree is recommended for entry level."[1] wikipedia
Nurse practitioners in these states have full practice authority. That means they can diagnose, prescribe, and treat patients without physician oversight. other states require some level of oversight.
Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming.
There are currently about 200,000 NP in US. Let's say we increased the number to 300,000 in 5 years. Do you think it would lower the cost of healthcare?
Hint: There are slightly less than 5,000 Walmart stores in US.