The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS) just released a report urging that the federal government invest heavily in primary care as part of its public health infrastructure. Every American should have a primary care doctor. Will the Biden administration act on the NAS’ advice?
The NAS describes primary care as a “public good,” much like public education. Primary care practices generally include physicians, nurse practitioners and mental health providers.
The report’s authors want every American to either choose a primary care provider or have them assigned one by their insurer or employer. At the same time, the authors recognize that primary care is withering in the US. COVID-19 took a toll on the already weak primary care infrastructure in place in the US. Many primary care practices were forced to lay off staff or, worse still, close down.
The report’s authors want major government investment in primary care and recommend that Medicare and Medicaid pay primary care providers more and specialists less. They believe that the US will not have a strong health care system without a strong primary care infrastructure. It is critical for improving population health, for saving money and for keeping people from dying prematurely.
When you have good primary care, you are more likely to detect health issues early. You are more likely to have good care management and coordination. Having a primary care provider also promotes continuity of care. And, that in turn makes it easier for people to get needed care.
Other wealthy and middle-income countries invest far more heavily in primary care than the US. In the US, primary care represents about $1 in every $20 in health care spending. Other wealthy nations invest nearly three times that in their primary care infrastructure.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Six reasons you need a primary care doctor in this age of specialization
- Four questions to ask yourself about your primary care doctor
- Do you need a geriatrician?
- For Americans, Medicare for all means continuity of care and far less disruption than the status quo
- Health plan networks limit access to care
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