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.
New PCC Resources
The Power of Team-Based Primary Care: Sheri’s Story
The PCC, American College of Clinical Pharmacy
In this video from the PCC and ACCP, Sheri Conner and Rebecca Heath, PharmD, explore how a team-based approach to care has empowered Sheri as she provides care to her mother, who has dementia.
The video explores the relationship between Dr. Heath, Sheri, her mother and other clinicians, highlighting how the ongoing relationship between the care team, patient and caregiver has led to a better care experience.
Trusted Partnerships: How Primary Care Can Navigate Mistrust in Medicine
The PCC
On May 12, the PCC and the ABIM Foundation hosted a webinar exploring how strong, ongoing relationships between Americans and primary care can help overcome challenges created by growing mistrust in health care. Watch a recording of the webinar and read our summary.
Primary Care Access and Investment
Americans Are Fed Up with Our Broken Health System
Ann Greiner, the PCC
A new blog from President and CEO Ann Greiner explores how policymakers can tackle rising health care costs and why primary care investment should be at the forefront of this conversation.
Free primary care for all: Democratic think tank pushes the party on new health policy
Sahil Kapur and Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News
Democratic lawmakers are promoting a proposal that would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for primary care visits. Supporters of the policy argue that could improve preventive care utilization, reduce avoidable emergency department visits and strengthen long-term health outcomes.
Why is it so difficult to get a doctor’s appointment? Experts say this one reason is a big factor
PJ Randhawa and Leigh Lesniak, NBC 5 Chicago
An NBC 5 Responds survey found that more than 67% of Chicago respondents have trouble booking an appointment with their primary care doctor. Experts point to clinician shortages and increased demand as major reasons patients are struggling to secure appointments. As primary care systems face immense strain, this article outlines its contribution to longer wait times and growing patient frustration nationwide.
Doctors From Countries Under Travel Ban Now Allowed to Stay in U.S.
Miriam Jordan, New York Times
The Trump administration has reversed part of its visa application freeze, allowing foreign physicians (many in underserved areas) to remain in the country. Learn how this impacts health care as the United States faces a near-65,000 physician shortage.
Medicare
Innovation Insight: CMS Invites ACOs to Apply to the New LEAD Model
CMS
CMS is inviting ACOs to apply to the new LEAD model, which aims to strengthen primary care through advanced value-based payment and care delivery approaches. The model focuses on improving care coordination and enhancing outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries. Due: May 17th.
Whitehouse, Marshall introduce legislation to fix delays in care for seniors
The Office of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) have introduced bipartisan legislation intended to reduce administrative delays that impact seniors’ access to care. The proposal could improve how quickly Medicare patients receive referrals, diagnostics and treatments coordinated through primary care practices.
Medicaid
Nebraska rolls out Medicaid work requirements, putting thousands at risk of losing coverage
Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News
The implementation of Medicaid work requirements in Nebraska could create new barriers to coverage for the state’s low-income residents. Primary care clinicians and community health centers are likely to see the downstream effects through increased uncompensated care and reduced continuity of treatment.
Whole-Person Care
(Opinion) Early detection saves lives and brings down health care costs
James T. Brett & Andrea Hechavarria, NH Business Review
This opinion piece argues that preventive screenings and early intervention improve outcomes while lowering overall health care spending. Learn how primary care providers play a central role in identifying health concerns early and coordinating ongoing patient care.
Alzheimer’s is the sleeping financial crisis
Charles Sauer, TN Online
The article examines the growing financial and societal burden of Alzheimer’s disease as the population ages. It also highlights the importance of primary care in early detection, care coordination and supporting patients and caregivers through long-term management.
Research and Data Hub
The current state of the physician workforce: 9 notes
Mariah Taylor, Becker’s Clinical Leadership
This piece outlines several key trends affecting the physician workforce. This includes shortages, burnout and shifting employment models. These pressures continue to affect primary care recruitment and retention across urban and rural communities alike.
Where Have the Primary Care Doctors Gone?
Megan Fahrney, Chicago Health
This article explores the causes and consequences of the growing primary care physician shortage in the United States. Limited workforce pipelines and increasing patient demand are making it harder for communities to maintain accessible frontline care.
Beyond the Roadmap: Creating Real Change in Health Care
Darshak Sanghavi, MD, NEJM Catalyst
This article examines health care innovation and delivery transformation strategies. Many of the approaches discussed emphasize strengthening coordinated, patient-centered primary care as a foundation for improving outcomes and lowering costs.
The Voices of Primary Care
Primary Care Champion: Dr. Wayne Altman
The PCC
The PCC is delighted to honor Dr. Wayne Altman as our latest Primary Care Champion. Dr. Altman founded the MA Primary Care Alliance for Patients (MAPCAP) and serves as Professor & Chair of Family Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Primary care crisis requires new training and skills
Justin Oldfield, MD, KevinMD.com
In this article, Dr. Oldfield argues that addressing the primary care crisis will require new training models and expanded skill development for clinicians. The piece emphasizes preparing physicians to manage increasingly complex patient needs while navigating evolving health care systems.
How Chicago’s healthcare workforce needs are shaping a new kind of medical school
The Chicago School, Chicago Business Journal
Health care leaders in Chicago are calling for expanded medical education capacity to address workforce shortages. Increasing training opportunities may help strengthen the pipeline of future primary care physicians and improve access to care across the region.
State Watch
Repairing a scattered, inequitable Kansas health care system requires imagination, ambition
Walter Taminang, Kansas Reflector
This article explores the systemic inequities in Kansas’ health care infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved communities. It highlights the importance of strengthening primary care networks and investing in long-term workforce and access solutions to improve population health outcomes.
Where $156 million for rural health care in Rhode Island will be spent
Jonny Williams, The Providence Journal
Rhode Island officials announced major investments aimed at improving rural health care access and infrastructure. Expanded funding for local services and provider recruitment could help stabilize primary care delivery in communities facing shortages and growing health care needs.
Vermonters share their experiences with primary health care
Roy Santa Croce, MyChamplainValley
Vermont residents describe difficulties accessing timely primary care services, including long waits and clinician shortages. Their experiences underscore broader concerns about maintaining continuity of care and ensuring patients can establish lasting relationships with primary care clinicians.
Health Insurance
Why getting paid keeps getting harder
Austin Littrell, Medical Economics
A podcast with Arrow Founder and CEO Roshan Patel includes a conversation on the growing reimbursement challenges facing physician practices, including delays, denials and administrative complexity. These financial pressures disproportionately affect independent and small primary care practices already operating on thin margins.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The skills rotation: What AI means for the healthcare workforce
Ben Scharfe, Becker’s Health IT
This article examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping health care workforce roles and responsibilities. In primary care settings, AI tools may help reduce administrative burden, improve documentation efficiency and allow physicians to spend more time on direct patient care.