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.
First, from the PCC:
Blog: Medicare Invests in the Front Door of the Health Care System
From: Ann Greiner and Namrata Uberoi
In the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CMS began reversing decades of undervaluing primary care, providing more resources for primary care teams to prevent and manage chronic conditions. But to truly reinforce the foundation of the American health system, policymakers need to protect and expand upon these gains, eventually doubling primary care investment through value-based approaches. PCC President and CEO Ann Greiner and West Health Executive Director of Health Care Cost and Affordability Dr. Namrata Uberoi discuss more in a new blog.
PCC Analysis of H.R. 7184, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026
From: Chiyedza Mvundura
On February 3, Congress passed, and the Administration signed into law, H.R. 7184, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. The bipartisan legislation makes strides to protect access to primary care, especially for those in underserved and rural communities. PCC Policy Associate Chiyedza Mvundura explores the legislation in a PCC analysis.
California announces new Primary Care Snapshot to track and strengthen primary care
From: Nicole Beck
The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) has released its introductory brief as part of its Health of Primary Care in California Annual Snapshot, a new effort to systematically track the strength and performance of primary care across the state. PCC Policy and Member Relations Liaison Nicole Beck dives into this brief in a PCC article.
And some great sources outside the PCC:
Primary care is in trouble. Doctors are banding together to increase market power
From: Karen Brown for NPR
A major independent practice in western Massachusetts recently laid off 10 percent of its staff, underscoring the mounting financial strain on primary care driven by low reimbursement and rising costs. In response to this growing worry, many practices are banding together to form Independent Physician Associations as a broader push to strengthen primary care’s negotiating power, advance value-based payment and preserve physician autonomy and patient access. Karen Brown writes about this development for NPR.
Primary care doctors are burned out, and many are turning to concierge medicine
From: Samantha Fields for Marketplace
More primary care clinicians are transitioning into concierge medicine as they charge patients annual fees. As burnout and financial pressures mount in traditional practice, supporters claim the model reduces their patient panels and offers longer visits and better access. However, experts warn it could worsen primary care shortages and make it harder for patients who cannot afford the added cost to find a doctor. Samantha Fields explores the practice and its implications for Marketplace.
Primary care is ‘the missing strategy’ to combat chronic disease epidemic, analysts say
From: Richard Payerchin for Medical Economics
A new report from the Milbank Memorial Fund, The Physicians Foundation, and the Robert Graham Center argues that stronger investment in primary care is critical to preventing and managing chronic disease, which continues to drive poor health outcomes and rising costs nationwide. The analysis finds that patients with a usual source of primary care are far more likely to receive recommended preventive services and calls for higher Medicare and Medicaid payment, expanded community-based training and more. Richard Payerchin dives deeper into the report in a Medical Economics piece.
Building the Operating System for Rural Health Transformation
From: Abhinav Shashank
State Rural Health Transformation proposals to CMS signal a shift from short-term fixes to a long-term redesign toward rebuilding rural health care. For rural primary care, there opportunity to build connected regional networks and streamlined, tech-enabled workflows that reduce administrative burden, strengthen prevention and chronic disease management, and create comprehensive, strong access to care where it is needed most. Abhinav Shashank, CEO of PCC member Innovaccer, writes more on this opportunity in a LinkedIn article.
To lower overall health care spending, spend more on primary care, a new report argues
From: Caleigh Wells for Marketplace
A new report from the Milbank Memorial Fund, The Physicians Foundation and the Robert Graham Center finds that adults with chronic conditions who have a regular primary care clinician cut their health care costs in half and reduce their risk of hospitalization by 20 percent, with even greater benefits for children. Yet one in three adults lacks access to primary care, and with only five percent of U.S. health spending going toward it, experts say stronger investment in the primary care workforce is key to improving outcomes and lowering costs. Caleigh Wells delves further into the report in a Marketplace article.
How value-based care enables better clinical outcomes, primary care sustainability
From: Aledade for Medical Economics
New Medicare data show that value-based care is delivering results, generating $2.5 billion in savings in 2024 while improving health outcomes like blood pressure control. For primary care practices facing financial and administrative strain, Aledade argues in a Medical Economics article that physician-led ACO models could offer a more sustainable path by aligning payment with prevention and proactive care.
COLUMN: Nevada’s rural health future depends on how we use this money
From: Justin Atkins for the Las Vegas Sun
Nevada is set to receive roughly $180 million in first-year funding as part of a $50 billion federal investment in rural health, creating a rare opportunity to address persistent primary care shortages. For the Las Vegas Sun, Justin Atkins argues the state must prioritize workforce development, integrated mental health, and sustainable planning over new facilities alone to ensure the funding leads to lasting access and better outcomes for rural communities.
Anna Flattau – Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
From: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast featuring Anna Flattau
Not a read, exactly – but the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast offers a great new listen. Anna Flattau, Enterprise Chief of Primary Care Services for PCC member Jefferson Health, joined the podcast to discuss the evolution of virtual primary care, expanding telehealth to better connect people to care and how changes to Medicaid are shaping access and delivery across primary care services.
ACOs Improve Primary, Preventive Care Delivery for Medicare Beneficiaries
From: Pearl Steinzor for the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC)
New data from Accountable for Health show that Medicare beneficiaries in ACOs, particularly those taking on a two-sided financial risk, receive significantly more primary and preventive care than those outside of ACOs. The findings add to growing evidence that value-based models strengthen preventive services, improve chronic disease management and better align payment with patient outcomes. Pearl Steinzor has more in the American Journal of Managed Care.
Clinics Sour on CMS After Agency Scraps 10-Year Primary Care Program Only Months In
From: Andrew Jones for KFF Health News
CMS abruptly canceled its Making Care Primary model just one year into the program, shutting the planned decade-long primary care investment that promised up to $10 million to rural practices. This leaves clinics, especially in western North Carolina, scrambling and questioning federal support for primary care. Andrew Jones dives into what clinics are saying about this move for KFF Health News.
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