NEW YORK STATE — A new report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli examined healthcare professional shortages in 16 rural counties in New York state and found alarming shortfalls in primary care, pediatric, and obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) doctors, dentists and mental health practitioners, with several counties having no pediatricians or OBGYN doctors at all. The shortage of mental health practitioners in New York’s rural counties may be the most severe, with all counties designated by the federal government as areas having professional shortages.

The rural counties examined were Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chenango, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Schuyler, Steuben, Sullivan, Washington, Wyoming and Yates.

“Having access to health care is an essential quality of life issue and helps people live healthier lives,” DiNapoli said. “Addressing gaps in the rural healthcare workforce to alleviate current shortages and plan for future demand will not only positively impact the health of people living in less populated areas of New York, but could also create new jobs and bolster our rural economies.” 

Responding to the audit, Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay (D-Rock Hill) said it confirmed what residents of Sullivan County have known for far too long.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that in 2025, entire regions of our state—including the west end of Sullivan County—have no pediatricians at all,” said Assembly Member Kay. “We are talking about babies and children growing up without access to basic, essential care. That is a failure.”

Assembly Member Kay, who recently supported and sponsored legislation expanding insurance coverage for prenatal vitamins (A.2675), no-cost inhalers (A.128A), and speech therapy (A.7321A), said the report reinforces the urgent need for targeted investment in rural health care infrastructure.

“We've made strides in expanding coverage, but coverage means little without providers,” she said. “If you’re a parent in western Sullivan County, you can’t get a well visit for your child if there’s no one to see.”

Kay has also advocated for stronger mental health services across the region. Her legislative portfolio includes the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act (A.6721A), which supports peer-to-peer mental health counseling among police, as well as measures that would offer similar support to corrections officers, fire, and EMS first responders.

“We know rural health care is in crisis, and this report confirms that reality with hard numbers. As legislators, we have an obligation to seek out solutions and act on them.”