Report: 1 in 5 Americans don't have a doctor

That's the conclusion of a Scripps Howard report.

And those of us who do have a family doctor "are often shut out of care, translating to higher rates of illness and death, and higher costs.

A Scripps Howard News Service review found that access to primary care is deteriorating, driving millions of people outside traditional family practices, or leaving them without care. Millions of people -- even with insurance --often find it impossible to see a doctor except in an emergency room or walk-in clinic."

It's worse in rural areas:

In some places, the absence of care is stark -- like the 148 mostly rural counties with no doctor at all, according to government records analyzed by Scripps Howard.

Scripps has a database of doctors that you can access HERE.

Do you or someone you know not have access to a doctor?

Personally, I don't have a go-to doctor. I go to Northwestern when I need a check up, but I've lived in four different states in the last six years. That doesn't allow a lot of time to build relationships, or the trust one likes to have with a doctor. And despite several unhealthy habits, I think/hope/pray I'm a relatively healthy 20-something.

And since I'm fully immersed in the world of bachelorhood, I don't have to worry about dependents needing medical care. That's good news for me, but a lot of people have it much harder.