While public health systems have plenty of room to become more trustworthy, I am increasingly convinced that much mistrust stems also from health systems. In a recent YLE survey, for example, more than 1 in 2 participants had difficulty finding a primary care provider.
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You will hear why patients turn to ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini instead of waiting days for a reply, how AI companies are racing to own the front door of a system that is 20 percent of the economy, and why staying passive hands that ground away. Stillson makes the case that physicians can shape how these tools are governed, through medical advisory roles and digital health committees, so the guidance patients get is accurate.
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Childhood obesity affects one in five children in the U.S., yet most families have limited access to specialized weight-management programs for children. Now, a large clinical trial led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the University of Rochester Medical Center, the LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has shown that an effective, family-based treatment model can be delivered in primary care settings to treat children and adolescents with obesity.
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In rural Pennsylvania and other communities in the United States, access to primary care is deeply concerning, with a shortage of physicians, fewer hospitals and health clinics, and patients who cannot reliably get the care they need.
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To expand access for medically complex children, health systems need to rethink the medical home through continuous virtual and in-home care, rather than simply adding providers or clinics, said Dr. Patricia Hayes of Imagine Pediatrics.
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Every other week, the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC) gathers major new stories, opinion pieces, research articles, case studies and more covering primary care. This special issue, however, covers both the weeks of 4/17/26 and 5/1/26.
Want to submit a piece? Feel free to email the piece to PCC Communications Associate Maximilian Sandefer at msandefer@thepcc.org.
New Video Resource: 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.
New Resource: Advanced Primary Care Management: Successful Adopters Tell Their Stories
The PCC
On April 28, the PCC hosted a discussion with early adopters of the Medicare Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) services and an AARP policy expert about their experience leveraging this new program. The webinar first, however, featured a surprise guest as Dr. Jake Quinton (Center for Medicare) joined in for a brief one-on-one conversation with Ann Greiner (PCC).
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.
Virginia Senator Introduces Bill to Boost Primary Care Workforce
Jessica Maldonado, WFXR
A new bill from U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, the Primary Care Team Education Care Act, aims to expand the primary care workforce through incentives and training support, reflecting growing urgency to address primary care shortages nationwide.
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.
Addressing the Impact of H.R. 1’s Medicaid Changes on Primary Care
The PCC
On March 31, the PCC hosted a conversation exploring how primary care and states can work together to minimize challenges arising from major Medicaid policy changes put in place H.R. 1.
Idaho Cut Services for People With Schizophrenia. Then the Deaths Began
Ellen Barry, New York Times
Idaho cut Medicaid-funded mental health services, specifically intensive, community-based care for people with severe illness. Within months, several patients died after losing support. The backlash forced the state to quickly restore funding, underscoring how cutting preventive mental health care can lead to immediate and serious consequences.
Insurer ‘downcoding’ penalizes physicians for doing their jobs (opinion)
Ari Geller, Hartford Business Journal
Clinicians say insurers are using AI to “downcode” visits, cutting critical payments for more complex primary care services. Geller warns this could hurt independent practices and make it harder for patients, especially those with greater needs, to get comprehensive care.
Pennsylvania health system sues Aetna over alleged ‘downcoding’ of inpatient hospital care
HealthExec, Chad Van Alstin
Jefferson Health has filed a lawsuit against Aetna, alleging that the insurer’s policy of paying outpatient rates for inpatient hospital care, a practice also known as downcoding, violates federal law.
Mind the Gap: Bridging the Oral Health Divide for More Affordable and Accessible Coverage
Bailey Reavis, Families USA
As approximately 72 million Americans lack dental insurance, an informative article from PCC Member Families USA implores policymakers to “not make short-sighted cuts to dental benefits” as many states grapple with Medicaid budget cuts.
Why psychologists should be integrated into care teams
Nahal Delpassand, SmartBrief
Embedding psychologists directly into care teams, especially in primary care, can help address the mental and behavioral factors that strongly influence patients’ health outcomes. This underscores the importance of treating psychological needs as core, not optional, in order to forward whole-person care.
LEAD Gets the Diagnosis Right. Now CMS Has to Apply the Treatment to MSSP
Farzad Mostashari, LinkedIn
The Aledade Founder and CEO argues in a new article that while health care leaders increasingly agree that fee-for-service misaligns incentives and holds back primary care, the real challenge is treatment. Learn his perspective on why CMS must actively scale and push value-based care into the mainstream, not just pilot it.
Why Gen Z Is Choosing Urgent Care Over Primary Care
Cathy Cassata, Healthgrades
Gen Z patients are increasingly bypassing traditional primary care in favor of urgent care centers, as they cite convenience, speed, and digital accessibility. This trend raises concerns about continuity of care and long-term health management.
Residency Fill Rates Worsen for Primary Care: 20 Stats to Know
Paige Twenter, Becker’s Clinical Leadership
New data shows declining residency fill rates in primary care specialties. This signals a worsening pipeline issue that could further strain access to this critical care nationwide.
The Primary Care Crisis by the Numbers
Austin Littrell, Medical Economics
In a special episode of the Off the Chart podcast, experts outline the scale of the primary care crisis using workforce, access and financial data from the Milbank Memorial Fund, the Physicians Foundation and the Robert Graham Center jointly released report, “Investing in Primary Care: The Missing Strategy in America’s Fight Against Chronic Disease.”
Value Partnerships Deliver Cost Savings in Michigan
Brooke Bilyj, Crains Content Studio, Crain’s Detroit Business
Data from PCC member Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan and more showcase how value-based care partnerships in Michigan have demonstrated both cost savings and improved health outcomes. This information reinforces the role of primary care in driving more efficient health care systems.
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.
Why US healthcare is so expensive and what primary care can do
Carolyn Krause, The Oak Ridger
Comprehensive primary care is key to better health, yet too many Americans still face barriers to access. A retired Tennessee doctor argues that reforms that prioritize affordability, coverage and investment in primary care can lead to better outcomes and lower costs.
The State of Primary Care – How Well Your State is Delivering Primary Care
Chiyedza Mvundura & Tod Didier, PCC
First developed in Spring 2024, the PCC’s “The State of Primary Care” provides package of fact sheets that examine the state of primary care in all 50 states and DC. Find your state and get the facts in our new Spring 2026 update!
Albany must pass the Primary Care Investment Act
Dr. Eric Gayle and Aparna Mekala, New York Daily News
New York has an opportunity to strengthen primary care by passing the Primary Care Investment Act. Learn in a great opinion piece how this bill would boost access, improve affordability and support better health outcomes across the state.
If Vermont is going to scale up primary care, health advocates say this one funding priority is crucial
Olivia Gieger, VTDigger
Advocates in Vermont say scaling up primary care starts with sustained investment. With workforce shortages and access challenges growing, stronger funding for primary care is key to improving outcomes and building a better system.
As Delaware debates primary care reform, a similar Oregon law offers insight
Nick Stonesifer, Spotlight Delaware
As Delaware debates primary care reform, Oregon offers a real-world example of what increased investment can achieve. Improved access, greater affordability, and better health outcomes—but implementation matters.
Lawmakers push health authority to cut provider red tape
Nick Budnick, Lund Report
Oregon lawmakers are pushing to cut red tape for providers. This aims to reduce administrative burden for clinicians (including those in primary care) and free up more time for patient care.
Rural hospitals face federal funding cuts, look to NC lawmakers for support
Ashley Fredde, NC Health News
North Carolina lawmakers are confronting a growing rural health workforce crisis, where shortages of primary care clinicians are limiting access to care across underserved communities. Policymakers are now weighing funding and workforce solutions to prevent further erosion of this frontline care.
RI leaders concerned with primary care fees amid doctor shortage
Sarah Bawden & Kim Kalunian, WPRI 12
Rhode Island leaders are sounding the alarm that low primary care payment rates and a growing clinician shortage are straining the system and limiting patient access to care. Unless fees better support primary care clinicians, the state could struggle to meet the rising demand for frontline services.
Newton Endorses Bills to Address Massachusetts Primary Care Shortage
Leon Gopaul, The Heights
Local leaders in Massachusetts are backing state legislation aimed at strengthening the primary care workforce and improving access amid a growing shortage crisis. This comes as PCC Champion Dr. Wayne Altman presented his new proposal to fix Massachusetts’ “inadequate” primary care system in Newton’s Programs and Services Committee meeting.
Health Insurers Pare Back Some Prior-Approval Requirements
John Tozzi, Bloomberg
American health insurers have started to reduce some prior authorization requirements, cutting about 11% of approvals to ease administrative burdens and speed up care. However, the changes are still voluntary and limited, meaning prior authorization still plays a major role in controlling costs and access to treatment.
America Is Running Out of Primary Care Doctors. AI Is Filling the Gap
Chase Feiger, Inc.
As primary care shortages worsen nationwide, AI tools have emerged to support clinical workflows and patient management. However, questions still remain about scalability and care quality.
AI Is Speeding Prior Authorizations While Driving Higher Costs for Health Systems
Cailey Gleeson, Fierce Healthcare
AI has helped streamline the often lengthy prior authorization process, however many health systems report that the technology may also contribute to rising costs. Learn how this complicates its value in care delivery.
Cummins’ Dr. Bob Chestnut to Speak at Premise Health’s 2026 Client Forum
Premise Health, LinkedIn
Dr. Bob Chestnut has implemented lifestyle medicine into Cummins’ global health strategy, improving care for the company’s over 75,000 employees. At Premise Health’s 2026 Client Forum he’ll share how employers can replicate this approach to drive better workforce health outcomes.
Key Points
Question Is the presence of a primary care physician (PCP) associated with the likelihood of emergency department visits or hospitalization for patients with end-stage kidney disease receiving dialysis?
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Primary care is the foundation of California’s health care system and a critical driver of population health and equity. Yet access to timely, comprehensive primary care remains out of reach for millions of Californians.
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This report presents six recommendations for key decisionmakers:
Telehealth use for primary care has leveled off after growing significantly amid the pandemic, Epic researchers found.