health care in SLO County (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria: living in, cost of, housing)

[NW4me]

I've been considering San Luis Obispo County as a relocation destination.
Over the weekend I attended an event there, and talked with some residents
about the ups and downs of life in SLO. They were mostly positive about the area,
but with two red flags: cost of housing, and health care availability.
I knew about the first one already, of course. However, the second one
was a surprise to me. But the people I asked about health care
said there weren't enough doctors in the area, particularly specialists,
and that some doctors weren't accepting new patients.

SLO County CDers, do you agree with these opinions?

[sacreole]

The Central Coast is indeed a desirable place to live but it’s a relatively remote part of the state. A number of SLO County’s medical facilities and offices are located in the community of Templeton between Atascadero and Paso Robles. This is where the Twin Cities Community Hospital is located along Las Tablas Road. There are also other medical specialists and facilities along Las Tablas Road. For residents living in the Five Cities/South County area, Santa Maria located further to the south would provide more options in terms of health care services.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Med in "Paso?"

[Axxlrod]

True. There is a shortage of doctors.

My aging parents live in SLO, and have to go to Santa Barbara for most of their medical needs.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

True. There is a shortage of doctors.

My aging parents live in SLO, and have to go to Santa Barbara for most of their medical needs.

Really? Even in and around the city of SLO (Templeton, as one poster mentioned), "most" medical needs can only be addressed by going all the way to Santa Barbara?

[Axxlrod]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Really? Even in and around the city of SLO (Templeton, as one poster mentioned), "most" medical needs can only be addressed by going all the way to Santa Barbara?

They have their PCP's in SLO, but all their specialists are in SB. Both are dealing with cancer right now, so maybe that's more than the average resident needs.

[CA4Now]

Health Agency/Public Health - County of San Luis Obispo:
https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departm...avigation.aspx

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

They have their PCP's in SLO, but all their specialists are in SB. Both are dealing with cancer right now, so maybe that's more than the average resident needs.

I did some research on cardiologists in SLO for a friend, and there were several. Just now I did a search for oncologists, and there are over a dozen, practicing in a wide variety of sub-specialties. All accept Medicare.

[Jvale]

The healthcare in SLO county is the worst I have seen in my life and I have lived in multiple counties across the country. It is due in part due to the aging population in conjunction with too few doctors because as people age we have more health complications. Also the salaries are I think probably the lowest for doctors compared to most parts of the country.

[mattja]

The problem with the Central Coast is the lack of any kind of large economy means there are fewer high-end jobs. Fewer high-end jobs means fewer patients with good health insurance. Fewer patients with good health insurance means it's more difficult for doctors and hospitals to offset their costs, as Medicare pays less than private insurance.

So, if you're a doctor with hundreds of thousands of dollars of student debt, you're going to L.A., the Bay Area or San Diego where you can make the most money and pay off that debt.

I knew a cardiac surgeon who went to med school through the public health system. Think Northern Exposure. But in his case it was a reservation in Oklahoma for eight years, IIRC. They can't get doctors in those areas because they can't make any money.