PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Petitions and calls for change are growing in the wake of Anchor Medical Associates’ decision to shut down all of its practices this summer, leaving thousands of Rhode Islanders without a primary care provider. In a letter sent to patients last Friday, Anchor officia ls described the decision to close on June 30 as "extremely difficult," citing a statewide physician shortage and an "increasingly challenging health care environment." IN-DEPTH: RI’s Anchor Medical to close; roughly 25,000 patients need new doctors The closure is forcing approximately 25,000 patients to seek new providers, leaving many concerned and uncertain about what comes next. That includes Ronald Myers, who has been with Anchor for more than three decades. "All of a sudden, something that we were used to — something that was consistently there without question — is now gone," Myers said. But Myers isn’t looking for a new doctor just yet, adding, "If I can follow him, I will." And he's not alone. A Change.org petition started by one of Anchor's patients has already gathered dozens of signatures in hopes of saving the provider and avoiding months-long waitlists for another doctor. The petition warns that the closure "isn't just an inconvenience, it's a potential catastrophe that will have detrimental repercussions on our community's health care environment." The organizer told 12 News she worries people's health will completely deteriorate if the state doesn't invest more in its health care system — a sentiment R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha has echoed for years. "It's a system going down the drain without any willingness on the part of — principally the governor — to try to stop it," Neronha said. Still, Neronha acknowledged the transition won't be easy. "I don't have a good message for them," he added. "Being married to a primary care doctor — she hasn't taken a new patient in about a decade. Her panel has been full for a decade." A spokesperson for Gov. Dan McKee told 12 News the health care crisis is a nationwide issue, but one he's prioritized in his strategic plan. According to the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI), reimbursement rates are not high enough to cover the cost of care. "They can go to Massachusetts or Connecticut and make more money — and it's not far away,” said Howard Dulude, HARI's interim president. “So it's really difficult for us to recruit and retain people." HARI is urging the R.I. General Assembly to take action and is reviewing several bills aimed at fixing the problem before the crisis worsens. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi said he will "continue to work with the physician community and the Rhode Island Medical Society to see what can be done to encourage Anchor's doctors and other health care professionals to continue providing quality care to patients in Rhode Island." At the same time, Anchor patients are calling on state leaders to do more. "Somehow or another that has to be worked out because we have to be attractive to new doctors, so they want to come here," Myers said. To assist patients in finding new care, the R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH) has published resources including a list of community health centers and free clinics. The state recommends that affected patients: Request a copy of their medical records before the closure Search provider databases through their health insurance company websites RIDOH and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services are currently in talks with other providers to determine who might take over Anchor's operations. TARGET 12: Hundreds more physicians needed to address RI primary care shortage, experts say Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less