The first preview of the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) National Shortage Designation Update does not bode well for Pennsylvania compared to the rest of the United States. Percentages were given for maintaining, increasing or decreasing competitiveness for National Health Service Corps scholars and loan repayment. The state and national percentage of organizations whose scores increased in competitiveness were about the same (PA = 8%, National = 7%). Nationally, 63 percent of organizations were projected to have no change while in Pennsylvania the number is 32 percent. So, the bad news is that 64 percent of organizations in Pennsylvania are projected to see scores fall out of the competitive range.
