The point of the article, I think, is how this hurts the poor and working-class and keeps them out of employment opportunities. We’ve known for years that the education of a doctor is expensive. Barbers? Not so much.
Not just education. Yearly state licensing, annual association fees which are required for boards which also take a bite, CME requirements to maintain licensing and association membership which are required for insurance which is required for licensing and credentialling. Even for low risk primary care it can add up to over $15,000 a year. Multiples of that for Ortho or Neurosurgery. That comes out before a penny is spent on office, nurses, etc. one must spend $150,000 to $200,000 a year before a penny is made. And remember, what the doctor takes home is what is left after the bills and taxes are paid. If you start a new practice you may not see a penny for a year or two.