Every other week, the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC) gathers major new stories, opinion pieces, research articles, case studies and more covering primary care. Want to submit a piece? Feel free to email the piece to PCC Communications Associate Maximilian Sandefer at msandefer@thepcc.org.

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The Voices of Primary Care

ABMS Announces 2026 Service Award Recipients

Susan Morris, American Board of Medical Specialties

The American Board of Medical Specialties announced its 2026 Service Award recipients, recognizing individuals who have advanced physician professionalism, quality improvement and certification. While not focused exclusively on primary care, the awards highlight leadership that contributes to improving health care quality across specialties.

 

Why Doctors Burn Out, Connecting With Patientsand How to Fix It

Kevin Pho, Eva Minkoff and Kim Downey, KevinMD

This podcast episode explores the drivers of physician burnout and the importance of rebuilding meaningful patient relationships. The discussion emphasizes that reducing administrative burden and restoring time for patient care are essential to sustaining the primary care workforce.

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Primary Care Investment

Primary Care Doctor Pay Hits $330,000, But Increase Lags U.S. Inflation

Bruce Japsen, Forbes

Primary care physician compensation continues to rise but has failed to keep pace with inflation. The article explores how financial pressures may affect physician recruitment, retention and the long-term sustainability of primary care practices.

 

Growing the Pipeline Where It Matters Most: Why Expanding Residency Training Is Critical to Solving the Physician Shortage

Carey Goryl and Eli Greenspan, Medical Economics

Authors argue that expanding residency training positions is one of the most effective ways to address physician shortages. Increasing residency opportunities, particularly in primary care, could improve workforce capacity and patient access over time.

 

COMMENTARY – G2211: A Half-Step That Leaves Independent Primary Care Behind

Robert Resnik, Medical Economics

The author argues that while Medicare’s G2211 add-on payment recognizes the value of longitudinal primary care, it falls short of addressing the financial realities facing independent practices. Broader payment reform, the article contends, is needed to sustain comprehensive, relationship-based primary care.

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Medicare

Sen. Angus King Introduces Legislation to Make Primary Care and Mental Health Services More Available

Video Report, News Center Maine (via Yahoo! News)

Sen. Angus King introduced legislation aimed at making primary care and mental health services more available, emphasizing preventive care as a way to reduce costs. The proposal connects directly to primary care access by seeking to reduce financial barriers to routine and behavioral health care.

 

Rural physicians are leaving Medicare faster than anyone is tracking

Francesca Mathewes, Becker’s Hospital Review

An increasing number of physicians are opting out of Medicare, raising questions about beneficiary access to care and reimbursement policy. The trend also has implications for primary care, where Medicare participation is critical to maintaining access for older adults.

 

More Doctors Where They’re Needed: Reforming Medicare’s GME Formula

Lawson Mansell and David Schwartzman, Niskanen Center

This analysis argues that Medicare’s graduate medical education funding formula should be reformed to better align physician training with workforce needs. Redirecting GME resources toward primary care and underserved communities could help address persistent access shortages.

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Medicaid

States Face Massive Medicaid Issues Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Eileen Appelbaum, CounterPunch

This commentary examines how recent federal Medicaid legislation could create new financial and operational challenges for states. The author argues that changes to Medicaid funding and eligibility could reduce access to primary care for millions of beneficiaries while increasing pressure on safety-net providers.

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Downcoding

New Survey Finds Nearly Three-Quarters of Illinois Physicians Have Experienced Downcoding

Illinois State Medical Society, Small Business News Watch

A new survey reports that nearly three-quarters of Illinois physicians have experienced insurance downcoding, resulting in lower reimbursement than expected. Downcoding creates financial challenges for physician practices, particularly independent primary care practices operating on narrow margins.

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Whole-Person Care

The Case for Integrated Primary Care Across 10 Countries

Munira Z. Gunja, Arnav Shah, Corinne Lewis, Commonwealth Fund

A new Commonwealth Fund survey compares how ten countries integrate primary care with behavioral health, specialty care and community services. The findings suggest that stronger integration improves coordination, patient experience and overall health system performance.

 

Q&A: Why Providers Must Still Work to Reduce Care Fragmentation

Teta Alim, HealthTech Magazine

Health care leaders discuss how fragmented care continues to create inefficiencies and poorer patient outcomes despite advances in health technology. Strong primary care remains central to coordinating services across specialists, hospitals and community resources while delivering more whole-person care.

 

OPINION: Seat at the Table: Why Community Providers Need a Voice in Health Care Reform

Wendy Thompson, Chief Healthcare Executive

This viewpoint argues that meaningful health care reform must include the perspectives of community-based providers who understand patients’ day-to-day needs. The author emphasizes that strengthening primary care and community partnerships is essential to improving access, care coordination and health outcomes.

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Research and Data Hub

From the Federal Government to the Front Lines of Primary Care: Lessons Learned in the Fight to Strengthen the Foundation of Health Care

Katherine A. Gergen Barnett and Judith L. Steinberg, The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine

This research article in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine examines an issue affecting family medicine and primary care practice. The findings contribute to the growing evidence base that informs clinical care, workforce planning and primary care policy.

 

The Medical School Boom

Kathryn Palmer, Inside Higher Ed

Medical schools continue to expand in response to projected physician shortages across the country. While increasing enrollment is an important step, the article notes that expanding graduate medical education–particularly in primary care–is necessary to translate new graduates into practicing physicians.

 

Federal Push to Increase U.S. Primary Care Docs Has Fizzled, Study Says

Dennis Thompson, Health Day

A new study concludes that federal efforts to expand the primary care physician workforce have produced limited results. The findings highlight the need for sustained investments in medical education, residency training and payment reform to strengthen the primary care pipeline.

 

New Survey Shows Michiganders Face Growing Wait Times, Want More Options, Choice and Access to Nurse Practitioners

American Association of Nurse Practitioners, PR Newswire

A statewide survey found that Michigan residents are experiencing longer wait times for health care appointments and support expanding access to nurse practitioners. The findings illustrate how team-based primary care may help address growing demand and workforce shortages.

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State Watch

Massachusetts Senate passes bill to overhaul primary care

Jonathan Saltzman, Boston Globe

Massachusetts lawmakers have advanced legislation that would increase accountability for primary care investment and encourage insurers to devote a larger share of health care spending to primary care. Supporters argue the bill could improve access while helping shift the health care system toward prevention and value-based care.

 

Editorial: Bill Gives Primary Care the Overdue Attention It Deserves

Editorial, The Sun

This editorial applauds Massachusetts lawmakers for prioritizing primary care through legislation designed to increase investment and improve access. The piece argues that strengthening primary care is essential to improving health outcomes and controlling long-term health care costs.

 

Iowa Primary Care Association to Host Rural Health Care Sessions in Fairfield in July

AJ Roe, Ottumwa Radio Group

The Iowa Primary Care Association is hosting rural health care sessions in Fairfield to engage local communities on access and care delivery challenges. The effort highlights the role of primary care organizations in strengthening rural health infrastructure and supporting community-based solutions.

 

UM Launches Montana’s 1st Public PA Program Aimed at Tackling Rural Health Care Shortage

Missoulian Staff, The MSU Exponent

The University of Montana is launching the state’s first public physician associate program to address health care workforce shortages, especially in rural communities. By training more PAs, the program could help expand team-based primary care capacity in underserved parts of the state.

 

Oregon Health Director’s New York Times Essay Draws Response From State Primary Care Group

Andrew Schwartz, Willamette Week

Oregon’s primary care community responded to a New York Times essay by the state’s health director, raising concerns about how primary care is represented in broader reform debates. The article underscores the importance of including frontline primary care voices in conversations about cost, access and system redesign.

 

Legislature Passes Bill to Expand Roles for Nurse Practitioners

Alex Gault, Watertown Daily Times

New York lawmakers passed legislation expanding the role of nurse practitioners, a change aimed at improving access to care. For primary care, broader NP practice authority may help address provider shortages and improve access in underserved communities.

 

Arizona Must Protect Its Health Care Workforce

Keith Frey, Arizona Capitol Times

This commentary warns that Arizona’s health care workforce is not keeping pace with population growth, physician retirements and rising demand. It cites a need for hundreds more primary care physicians today and nearly 2,000 more by 2030, making workforce investment central to maintaining access.

 

Kansas Has More Rural Hospitals at Immediate Risk of Closing Than Any Other State

Ben Shackelford-Nwanganga, Rural Messenger

Kansas has more rural hospitals at immediate risk of closure than any other state, according to new national analyses. Because rural hospitals often anchor local primary care and referral networks, closures could significantly reduce access to preventive, chronic and emergency care for rural residents.

 

Primary Care Medics: Lessons From the Military Might Help Close Health Care Gaps in Rural PA

Whitney Downard, Penn Capital-Star

This article explores whether adapting military-style medic training could help expand access to basic health care services in rural Pennsylvania. The model offers one potential strategy for supporting primary care teams in communities facing persistent workforce shortages.

 

Figuring Out How to Expand Health Care Access in Pennsylvania’s Rural Communities

Whitney Downard, Penn Capital-Star

Pennsylvania leaders are exploring strategies to improve health care access in rural communities where provider shortages remain a significant challenge. The discussion highlights the importance of strengthening primary care infrastructure alongside broader rural health investments.

 

6th State [Alaska] Adopts Physician Associate Title

Paige Twenter, Becker’s Clinical Leadership

Another state, Alaska, has officially adopted the title ‘physician associate’ in place of ‘physician assistant,’ reflecting a broader national movement within the profession. The change is intended to better reflect the clinical responsibilities of PAs, who play an increasingly important role on primary care teams.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

[Rhode Island] Legislators OK Bill to Disclose AI Use in Health Care Visits

Christopher Allen, Providence Business News

Rhode Island lawmakers approved legislation requiring patients to be notified when AI tools are used to document health care visits and requiring clinicians to review AI-generated documentation for accuracy. As AI tools expand in primary care, transparency and oversight will be important to preserve trust and protect the patient-clinician relationship.

 

Primary Care Meets Artificial Intelligence

Lambeth Hochwald, Medscape

This article explores how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape primary care, from clinical documentation to workflow management and decision support. It emphasizes that successful adoption will depend on ensuring AI enhances–rather than replaces–the relationship between clinicians and patients.

 

As AI Listens to Patients, Physicians Face New Questions

Michael Waldholz, Medscape

This article examines the growing use of ambient AI tools that automatically document patient visits. While these technologies may reduce documentation burden in primary care, they also raise important questions about patient privacy, transparency and clinician oversight.

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Health Insurance

Mass General Brigham and CVS Primary Care Partnership Moves Closer to Reality

Marin Wolf, Boston Globe

Mass General Brigham and CVS are moving closer to a partnership involving primary care delivery. The proposal reflects broader market shifts in which health systems, retailers and insurers are exploring new models to expand access and coordinate care.

 

Most Clinicians Say U.S. Health Care Is Less Stable Than Two Years Ago

Austin Littrell, Medical Economics

A national survey found that most clinicians believe the U.S. health care system has become less stable over the past two years. Respondents cited financial pressures, staffing shortages and administrative burden, all of which continue to affect primary care practices and patient access.

 

This compilation was created with support from an AI tool.

As Michigan continues to grapple with health care provider shortages and mounting patient wait times, a new statewide survey of Michigan voters finds that three-quarters support legislation making it easier to choose a nurse practitioner (NP) as their health care provider. The survey, conducted by the Mellman Group, also finds that a majority support removing outdated restrictions on NPs and are more likely to vote for legislators who do so.

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Health care affordability impacts everyone across the care continuum—patients, providers, health plans, employers and the communities where they live. To combat rising costs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan leaders recognized that they couldn’t drive meaningful change alone, so they have partnered broadly across the state with Michigan providers and community-based organizations to address the state’s health care needs.

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Comprehensive primary care promises to transform the U.S. health care system by unlocking powerful health improvements and cost savings for patients and taxpayers. By investing in primary care, lawmakers can improve the health and wellbeing of all Americans.

The package of fact sheets below examines the state of primary care in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Comprehensive primary care promises to transform the U.S. health care system by unlocking powerful health improvements and cost savings for patients and taxpayers. By investing in primary care, lawmakers can improve the health and wellbeing of all Americans.

The fact sheet below examines the state of primary care in Michigan.

People who regularly see primary care physicians tend to live longer and healthier lives if they can locate and secure doctors near home, Michigan doctors said.

Despite the necessity of such practitioners, who handle patients from birth to death, from newborns to grandparents, there are too few of them and trends suggest there will be even fewer as current practitioners age and medical students with six-figure loan debts chose more lucrative specialties.

Nearly 3 million people live in parts of the state with an inadequate population-to-provider ratio, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which cited 2021 data from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. The problems are especially stark in rural regions and urban centers.

Michigan is experiencing a decline in the number of primary care physicians, with more shortages expected by 2030, particularly impacting residents in underserved areas.