National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Recommend Increased Investment in Primary Care

Tuesday, May 4,, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued a report calling for access to high-quality primary care for every American.  The report is titled: “Implementing High Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care.”  AAFP applauded the release of the new report which calls for every individual to have the opportunity to have a consistent source of primary care.  Among other things, the report states that “a strong foundation of primary care is critical to the health system. Yet visits to primary care clinicians are declining, the workforce pipeline is shrinking, and many practices have struggled to remain open. Primary care is the only part of health care where an increased supply is associated with better population health and more equitable outcomes. For this reason, the report emphasizes that primary care should be a common good, made available to all individuals in the U.S., promoted by responsible public policy, and supported with the resources to achieve health equity.”  The report goes on to say that “the strength and quality of primary care need to be a public priority.” To meet the goals of the report, the committee recommended several actions:

• A shift from Fee for Service payment models to hybrid models (part capitated, part fee for service), in which clinicians are rewarded for better outcomes and pay per patient rather than per visit.  AAFP has long called for this type of payment model.
• Additional community-based training programs. Noting that training primary care in inpatient settings will not adequately prepare the workforce to deliver high-quality care.
• Efforts to make health information technology more user friendly for both clinicians and patients.
• An increase in access points including investment in new health centers, particularly in areas that are underserved.

While you can find a copy of the press release that AAFP published on the report below, please continue to look for additional information from NCAFP and AAFP in the coming days and weeks.

AAFP Press Release on NASEM Primary Care Report

NCAFP Advocacy

The NCAFP works aggressively to advance health policy that improves and strengthens the specialty of family medicine and primary health care in North Carolina. The Academy is a leading voice in many state health initiatives and actively engaged in helping impact NC's delivery system.

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