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.

Primary Care Access and Investment

Physicians make the case for funding primary care as a public good
Austin Littrell, Medical Economics
This article argues that primary care should be treated as essential public infrastructure rather than just another billable health care service. Littrell makes the case that stronger investment in primary care would improve access, reduce downstream costs and support healthier communities.

EXPERT PERSPECTIVE: How California’s public purchasers are joining forces to strengthen primary care
Drs. S. Monica Soni, Palav Babaria and Julia Logan, California Health Care Foundation
This piece explores how public purchasers in California are coordinating efforts to better support primary care. By aligning payment and accountability strategies, the initiative aims to strengthen preventive care, improve access and reduce fragmentation.

Massachusetts Primary Care Dashboard continues to highlight alarming trends for primary care
Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP)
The Massachusetts Primary Care Dashboard shows continued warning signs around access, workforce capacity and investment in primary care. The findings reinforce concerns that without stronger support, primary care practices may struggle to meet patient demand.

Ever have trouble getting a primary care appointment? This Mass. Senate bill could help
John L. Micek, MassLive
The Massachusetts Senate is preparing to vote on legislation intended to improve access to primary care and address health care affordability. The bill underscores how many state policymakers are increasingly viewing primary care investment as central to cost containment and patient access.

OPINION: Why America is failing its health report card
Robert B. Shpiner, The Guardian
This opinion piece critiques the high cost and uneven performance of the U.S. health care system. Its arguments connect to primary care by underscoring how underinvestment in prevention and frontline care can contribute to poor outcomes and high spending.

PERSPECTIVE: Cutting Through the Chaos in Primary Care
Dr. Fred Pelzman, MedPage Today
This commentary focuses on the role of patient-centered medical homes in improving care coordination and access. The model is closely tied to primary care because it emphasizes long-term relationships, team-based care and whole-person support.

Downcoding

Downcoding reform bill clears Illinois legislature on unanimous vote
Illinois State Medical Society, World Advertising Report
Illinois lawmakers advanced a bill addressing insurer downcoding practices, which can reduce payment for care already delivered. The issue is especially relevant to primary care practices that rely on predictable reimbursement to remain financially sustainable.

What physician practices need to know about insurance downcoding
Ansley Franco, Birmingham Medical News
This article explains how insurance downcoding affects physician practice revenue and administrative workflows. For primary care practices, downcoding can worsen financial strain and add to the burden of appealing claims.

Medicaid

New Medicaid Rules Imperil Primary Care Access
Ann Greiner, the PCC
The PCC issued a statement expressing disappointment toward the June 1, 2026, interim final rule affecting the Medicaid program. Read our full statement.

Medicaid work reqs IFR limits medically frail exemption, self-attestation
Dorothy Mills-Gregg, Amy Lotven, Sigi Ris, InsideHealthPolicy
This article examines new limits on self-attestation for medically frail Medicaid enrollees under work requirement rules. These documentation barriers could create coverage disruptions for patients who rely on Medicaid to maintain access to primary care and chronic disease management.

Industry groups say final Medicaid work requirements rule imposes onerous documentation
Paige Minemyer, Fierce Healthcare
Health care industry groups are raising concerns that Medicaid work requirement rules will create burdensome paperwork for patients, clinicians and state agencies. For primary care practices, coverage churn can interrupt preventive care and worsen health outcomes for vulnerable patients.

Medicaid work requirements: Experts say millions will lose coverage
Tara Bannow, Chelsea Cirruzzo and Daniel Payne, Stat+
Experts warn that Medicaid work requirements could lead to large-scale coverage losses, even among eligible individuals. Loss of coverage may reduce access to primary care, delay treatment and increase reliance on emergency departments.

Will CMS’ last-minute Medicaid work requirement changes cause more harm?
Marissa Plescia, MedCity News
This article looks at concerns surrounding CMS changes to Medicaid work requirement policy. The piece raises questions about whether administrative changes could increase confusion and make it harder for patients to maintain stable access to care.

Medicaid work requirements set with stricter medical frailty guidelines; critics push back
Melissa Patrick, Northern Kentucky Tribune
This article discusses stricter medical frailty guidelines connected to Medicaid work requirements. Critics argue the policy could make it harder for medically vulnerable patients to remain covered, affecting access to primary and preventive care.

Whole-Person Care

PCC Urges Administration to Listen to Clinician Voices on Vaccines
Ann Greiner, The PCC
The PCC has responded to an executive order issued on May 29, 2026 that instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to make additional changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. Read our full statement.

Why fragmented care misses older adults’ mental health needs
Creagh Milford, SmartBrief
This article examines how fragmented health care systems can overlook mental health needs among older adults. Integrating behavioral health into primary care could improve early identification, coordination and support for aging patients.

Millions skip colon cancer screening amid rise
Kaitlyn Mills, Considerable
This article highlights gaps in colon cancer screening despite rising concern about early-onset cases. Primary care clinicians are central to improving screening rates by counseling patients, identifying risk factors and coordinating preventive testing.

Health Insurance

Providers not seeing prior authorization improvement
Rich Daly, HFMA
Clinicians report that prior authorization reforms have not yet meaningfully reduced administrative burden. In primary care, prior authorization delays can slow referrals, testing, medications and care coordination.

States’ all-payer claims databases can help CMS more accurately value services
Shankar Mesta, Andre Chappel and Douglas Jacobs, Health Affairs
This article argues that state all-payer claims databases could help CMS better understand and value health care services. More accurate data could support payment reforms that better reflect the value of primary care and preventive services.

HMSA doctors can postpone transition to new payment model
Dan Nakaso, Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HMSA is allowing physicians to delay the transition to a new payment model for six months after concerns from Hawaii’s medical community. The delay may give primary care practices more time to adapt to payment changes that could affect operations and patient access.

Research and Data Hub

Curbing Primary Care Administrative Burden
The PCC
Learn in a new fact sheet how streamlining quality measurement, standardizing electronic prior authorization, advancing interoperability and reforming payment models offer clear pathways to reduce clinician burden, improve workforce satisfaction and strengthen overall care delivery.

Children’s well-being plummets across 29 states, report finds
Andria Park Huynh, HealthDay
A new report finds worsening child well-being across many states, raising concerns about mental health, economic stability and access to care. Primary care plays a key role in screening children, connecting families to services and identifying early warning signs.

State Watch

Report underscores the numbers behind RI’s primary care crisis
Jonny Williams, Providence Journal
A Rhode Island report finds that many residents continue to struggle to access primary care. The findings point to shortages, affordability concerns and system-level barriers that limit timely care.

HMSA’s payment system pivot has Hawaii’s medical community reeling
Nina Wu, West Hawaii Today
Hawaii physicians are raising concerns about changes to HMSA’s payment system and the potential effects on practice stability. Primary care practices may be particularly vulnerable when payment models shift quickly or without sufficient transition support.

Gillibrand says HHS administrative backlogs contribute to doctor shortage in NY
The Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Orleans Hub
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is raising concerns that federal administrative backlogs are contributing to physician shortages in New York. Delays in workforce-related processes can affect communities that already struggle to recruit and retain primary care clinicians.

Vermont lawmakers have adjourned for the year. Here’s what they did and didn’t do in 2026
Lola Duffort, Carly Berlin, Peter Hirschfeld and Bob Kinzel, Vermont Public
This article reviews major actions taken by Vermont lawmakers during the 2026 session, including primary care (and health care at-large) legislation.

WA is about to face even more of a shortage of family medicine doctors
Becca, Wolinsky, The Seattle Times
This opinion piece warns that Washington state may soon face worsening shortages of family medicine physicians. The article emphasizes the need for policy and training solutions that support the primary care workforce.

OPINION: California’s physician shortage demands practical solutions. AB 2386 is one of them
Lawson Mansell and Jonathan Wolfson, The Orange County Register
This opinion piece argues that California needs practical legislative solutions to address physician shortages. Strengthening the physician pipeline is especially important for primary care access in high-need communities.

Rhode Island has a primary care problem. Health Insurance Commissioner Cory King has a plan
Nancy Lavin, News From The States
Rhode Island’s health insurance commissioner is proposing strategies to address the state’s ongoing primary care access challenges. The article highlights the importance of payment reform, workforce support and stronger investment to stabilize primary care delivery.

North Huntsville clinic aims to expand access to primary care
Derek Lacey, Axios Huntsville
A North Huntsville clinic is working to address local primary care access needs in Alabama. The effort highlights how community-based clinics can help reduce gaps in underserved areas.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

How ambient AI eases the pain of rural workforce shortages
Becker’s Hospital Review (in collaboration with Heidi)
This article explores how ambient AI tools may help reduce documentation burden in rural health care settings. For primary care clinicians facing workforce shortages, AI-supported documentation could free up time for patient care and reduce burnout.

PERSPECTIVE: Can AI Save the Primary Care Exam Room From Quality Creep?
Dr. Jeffrey Millstein, MedPage Today
This commentary focuses on the double-edged sword that AI advancements bring into primary care, arguing that it “can restore the doctor-patient relationship or entrench metrics that have strained it.”

This compilation was created with support from an AI tool.

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.

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:

Simplifying Value-Based Primary Care by Reducing Administrative Burdens

From: The PCC (with support from Arnold Ventures and the Commonwealth Fund)

In this issue brief, the PCC explores how policymakers and other decision makers can reduce administrative burdens and streamline participation in value-based models. The brief draws on surveys of the PCC community, expert feedback and existing literature to create concrete recommendations for streamlining primary care’s experience in alternative payment models.

BLOG: Medicare Invests in the Front Door of the Health Care System

From: Namrata Uberoi for West Health and Ann Greiner for the PCC

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.

The PCC Joins over 145 Orgs Urging Congress to Fully Fund & Staff AHRQ

From: Friends of AHRQ (with the PCC signed on)

The PCC joined more than 255 organizations in signing onto the annual Friends of AHRQ appropriations letter. The letter urges Congress to fully fund AHRQ at $500 million in FY27 and ensure that the agency has sufficient staff to manage its statutory obligations.

And some great sources outside the PCC:

Exploring New Models That Encourage Primary Care ACO Participation

From: David Raths for Healthcare Innovation

A new Healthcare Innovation article summarizes a recent PCC webinar that brought CMS Innovation Center executives together with stakeholders to explore strategies to enhance ACO participation, including Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM), Primary Care Flex, and the upcoming LEAD model.

The Role of Medicare Alternative Payment Models in Supporting the Essential Features of Primary Care

From: Emily L. Hague, Arkadipta Ghosh and Eugene C. Rich for Mathematica

A new issue brief from PCC member Mathematica finds that primary care practices in “hybrid” APMs without financial risk improved on all core primary care features of access, comprehensiveness, continuity and coordination.

Strengthening California’s Primary Care Team Workforce: Data and Recommendations for Action

From: Diane Rittenhouse, Katie Coleman, Janet Coffman, Rebeckah Muratore, Jessica Mogk and Margaret Fix for the California Health Care Foundation

Primary care is the foundation of our health care system. Yet access to timely, comprehensive primary care remains out of reach for millions of Californians. A new report from the California Health Care Foundation, a PCC member, outlines key findings and recommendations for action in order to improve access, quality and workforce sustainability of comprehensive primary care for those living in The Golden State.

We studied primary care in 6 rich countries – it’s under unprecedented strain everywhere

From: Felicity Goodyear-Smith for the Conversation

Across the U.S. and other high-income countries, the primary care workforce is shrinking while administrative demands keep growing. If we want fewer ER visits and better outcomes, we need real investment in primary care as highlighted in a new piece in the Conversation.

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 a year into the program, shutting the planned decade-long primary care investment that promised up to $10 million to rural practices. KFF Health News dove into what clinics in western North Carolina are saying about this change.

Delaware leaders unveil Senate Bill 1 (SB1), launching major debate over health care costs and primary care reform

From: Delaware Live

Delaware lawmakers and health policy leaders unveiled Senate Bill 1, which kicks off what will likely be a significant health policy debate in The First State. Supporters of the legislation say it will help “control rising health care costs and strengthen the state’s strained primary care system,” however hospital leaders and industry groups oppose the bill. Delaware Live has more on the legislation and what stakeholders are saying.

Maine’s primary care shortage is expected to worsen. Experts are planning solutions.

From: Joe Lawlor for the Portland Press Herald

Maine faces a primary care shortage. Workforce gaps are growing as doctors retire and barriers to training persist. Although experts and communities are working on solutions, there’s more work to be done as highlighted in a new Portland Press Herald article.

Elation Announces AI-Powered Fast Lane for Primary Care Billing

From: Elation Health

PCC Member Elation Health announced new AI-powered billing workflows designed to improve primary care and reduce administrative burden. By linking clinical notes, chart context and past claims data, the system turns routine documentation into cleaner, bill-ready claims that can be paid on the first submission. This helps practices receive more complete and reliable payment while reducing billing work for clinicians and staff, as Elation Health highlights in a new press release.

Nearly a Third of US Youth Have Prediabetes or Diabetes

From: Devyani Gholap for Medscape

Researchers found that around 30% of U.S. adolescents (ages 10–19) have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, with boys making up 62% of these cases. Abdominal fat, measured by waist-to-height ratio, was also the strongest predictor of prediabetes or diabetes, stronger than BMI. Medscape has more on this data and what it means.

Cervical Cancer Rates Plummet Among States With High HPV Vaccination Rates

From: Dennis Thompson for HealthDay

A new study found that cervical cancer rates are dropping in states with higher HPV vaccination rates. Since the HPV vaccine was introduced in the U.S., cervical cancer cases among young women have fallen by 27%, according to research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. A recent HealthDay article dives deeper into this data and the importance of vaccines.

The Primary Care Collaborative (PCC) submitted a Statement for the Record to the Senate Special Committee on Aging for its hearing, “The Doctor Is Out: How Washington’s Rules Drove Physicians Out of Medicine,” detailing how growing administrative burdens are driving physician burnout and limiting critical time with patients.

The PCC calls on lawmakers to reduce unnecessary documentation and reporting requirements, strengthen primary care payment and delivery models, improve data exchange and support responsible use of new technology to restore primary care as the foundation of a high-performing, comprehensive health system.

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.  

The law includes both mandatory and discretionary funding to strengthen Community Health Centers (CHCs), make bold investments in the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, extend incentives for alternative payment model participation and protect access to virtual care. Together, these provisions help ensure that millions of Americans continue to receive the care they need and deserve. 

The broader health care ‘extenders’ package attached to the bill includes:  

• $4.6 billion for the CHCs Fund through December 31, 2026  

• $350 million in funding for the National Health Service Corps through December 31, 2026  

• An extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027 

• A historic, four–year funding package for the Teaching Health Center GME program, beginning with $225 million in FY 2026 and increasing by $25 million annually 

The bill also includes funding for ongoing discretionary programs that impact primary care access and workforce including: 

• $418 million for rural health 

• $1.9 billion to support CHCs 

• $2 million in dedicated funding for AHRQ’s Center for Primary Care Research 

• $1.4 billion to strengthen the health workforce in rural and underserved communities  

• $1.2 billion to support maternal and child health 

• $386 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. 

After a similar ‘extenders’ package was stymied in late 2024 and the extended shutdown late last year, these new provisions of law represent an important win for primary care advocates. Medicare beneficiaries can see their primary care clinician through telehealth without disruption over the next two years. The funding provides critical support for CHCs and long-term funding for Teaching Health Center GME programs, better equipping rural and underserved communities with the primary care clinicians they need. 

This legislation provides rural primary care with a significant infusion of resources to support workforce development and retention, address the growing risk of rural hospital closures, and expand residency opportunities. Together with the CHC investments, these investments provide important resources to rural primary care. They represent an important step forward, supporting infrastructure and access particularly for rural and underserved communities.   

But as state legislatures confront substantial budget shortfalls following H.R. 1’s Medicaid cuts, it’s vital that federal policymakers get serious about the changes needed for sustainable, long-term investment for primary care for all communities. 

Washington, D.C. (January 20, 2026) – Ann Greiner, President and CEO of the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC), has issued the following statement in response to the proposed bipartisan appropriations and health package:

“We’re grateful that Congress has come together to draft bipartisan legislation that protects access to primary care, especially for those in underserved and rural communities. By strengthening community health centers, making bold investments in the Teaching Health Center GME program, increasing incentives for alternative payment model participation and protecting access to virtual care, this bill will ensure millions of Americans still receive the care they need and deserve.

“But while it’s critical that Congress acts quickly to address these issues, much more must be done in the coming months to ensure Americans’ access to high-quality, whole-person primary care. Skyrocketing premium and deductible costs, extended wait times and a dwindling workforce remain major hurdles to primary care access for far too many Americans.

“The PCC and our members stand ready to work with lawmakers on pragmatic, substantive solutions, such as the recommendations for reform of Medicare payment we recently shared with the GOP Doctors Caucus and Congressional Doctors Caucus.”

In a letter dated December 15, addressed to Congress, national and state organizations urged Congressional leaders to protect the efficiency adjustment implemented by the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).

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A key Republican senator is demanding that a major medical organization explain how it helps set industry payment rates, adding urgency to a growing political fight over how doctors are reimbursed.

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As policymakers increasingly recognize primary care’s critical role in improving outcomes and reducing costs, long-overdue reforms to Medicare’s payment structure are now in motion.

This issue brief from the Primary Care Collaborative examines two landmark efforts: the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule and the Pay PCPs Act.

The side-by-side comparison highlights key provisions on clinician time valuation, practice costs, hybrid payment models, behavioral health integration and patient cost sharing.