WA · Healthcare shortage profile
Garfield County, WA
Home to 2,286 residents, with 6 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 6
- Population
- 2,286
- Peak shortage score
- 16.0
- MUA Index
- 60.9
Mid-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Garfield County holds a moderate federal shortage burden - 6 active HPSA designations, more than 54% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 6
- Active HPSA designations
- 2
- Dental shortages
- 16
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 46%
- US counties by volume
Corpus placement
Designated volume without a high-priority score
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Garfield County carries 6 active designations, above 54% of real US counties. None of those scores clear HRSA's high-priority line of 17 on this release, so the page leads with severity reading rather than a national distribution chart.
State peer position. Garfield County falls in the lower half of WA counties by active-designation volume, at rank 28 of 39. Ties share a rank.
Computed from current designated HPSA rows for every five-digit county FIPS. See the placement methodology.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 53023. Population: 2,286.
Below high-priority line
Garfield County is designated, but no active score clears 17
6 active designations sit on this FIPS (2 primary care, 2 mental health, 2 dental), and the peak severity is 16.0. That is a formal shortage footprint without HRSA's high-priority (≥17) tier, so NHSC placement geography is usually weaker here than on counties whose lead score clears the line.
Medically Underserved Area
Active HPSA scores
Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.
Highest-severity HPSA designations
All 6 active (designated) HPSAs in Garfield County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| LI - Asotin/Garfield Counties | dental | 16.0 |
| Pomeroy Medical Clinic | primary_care | 15.0 |
| Pomeroy Medical Clinic | dental | 15.0 |
| Garfield County | primary_care | 13.0 |
| Pomeroy Medical Clinic | mental_health | 13.0 |
| Garfield County | mental_health | 10.0 |
Moderate-burden reading for Garfield County
Dental care carries Garfield County's deepest shortage reading, 16.0 on HRSA's 0–26 dental scale, still short of the 17-point priority line, though the designation itself is formal. Primary care reads 15.0 of 25; Mental health reads 13.0 of 25. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 60.9, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Garfield County sits in the middle of the national designation-volume distribution (above 54% of counties) with 6 active records. That is enough for a formal shortage footprint without landing in the heaviest US tier. Compare the three discipline counts (2/2/2) before assuming every care category is equally short.
Garfield County falls in the lower half of WA counties by active-designation volume, at rank 28 of 39. For moderate counties, the useful move is usually a state peer check plus the score cards above, not a national superlative claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garfield County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Garfield County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 60.9. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Garfield County have?
Garfield County, WA has 6 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 2 in primary care, 2 in mental health, and 2 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Garfield County's HPSA score of 16.0 mean?
16.0 in dental care falls under 17, so the shortage is formally designated but outside HRSA's high-priority tier.
What healthcare providers are needed in Garfield County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Garfield County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers), and dental care (dentists, dental hygienists). The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment and scholarship programs for providers who serve in designated shortage areas.
Next read: Dental Shortage in America · WA state overview · NHSC loan repayment
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 53023. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the HRSA Data Warehouse. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.