Primary Care Investment

Greater investment in primary care is associated with lower costs, higher patient satisfaction, fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and lower mortality. Despite current high levels of healthcare spending in the United States, the proportion spent on primary care is insufficient. A shift in resources to support greater access to comprehensive, coordinated primary care is imperative to achieving a stronger, higher-performing healthcare system.

Underinvestment in primary care gives rise to patient access and workforce issues. A significant financial incentive for physicians and other clinicians to choose other areas of specialty undermines primary care.  

Resources

Starfield Summit | May 2016
Investing in Primary Care and Dismantling Fee-For-Service | May 2019
Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care | July 2017
The model of Direct Primary Care is a subscription-based model aiming to circumvent the barriers posed by coding and payment schemes in traditional fee-for-service care. This model improves continuity as well as accessibility of care for patients. It also works to focus on the patient as a person rather than focusing on the payment scheme, making care more equitable.
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