This is far from a solved problem in medicine. Higher salaries aren't enough to attract the number of doctors are needed, and there are also other issues that actively drive away doctors. (For example, fewer doctors to split the call pool in rural areas means that doctors may need to work more nights and weekends than they would in urban areas.)

That would require 1) budgeting more money for science or 2) hiring fewer scientists. Recent U.S. history has very much shown us unwilling to do 1), which means that we're going to get 2). I'm pretty sure that's not really an outcome scientists want either, and arguably it'd be bad for the nation's long-term competitiveness.

On the other hand, I hear stories that VA has difficulty hiring doctors in rural areas, and ends up hiring bad doctors who harm patients.

The VA and the government in general underpays doctors and white collar workers in general.

Are you intentionally implying that the blue collar workers are paid fairly but the white collar workers are not? That takes some serious nerve!

In the specific context of government work? Do you have evidence either way?

Yes. In some cases overpaid. That’s how the federal civil service system works. Not sure why that’s offensive…

The Mayo Clinic started in the middle of no-where.