The state association of doctors is saying that Marylanders who live in rural areas may soon see a shortage of doctors to treat them:

The report, known as the Maryland Physician Workforce Study, concludes that a shortage of doctors in rural Maryland is likely to worsen significantly by 2015 as older physicians retire and new ones choose to practice elsewhere....

The report ... recommends various legislative remedies, including higher physician reimbursement rates by insurers, medical malpractice reforms and a loan-forgiveness program to attract young physicians to regions most in need.

I'm sure there is an element of self-interest in this report coming from the doctors' association, but it's likely that it is generally true. All factors of health care are heavily regulated in Maryland. The lack of competition in the insurance market, for instance, not only hurts consumers by raising prices for insurance but also hurts doctors by lowering reimbursement rates. It would have been nice for the doctors' association to recommend more freedom for both patients and doctors. Instead, the report wants more government involvement in the market, which is the last thing Maryland needs.