FACT SHEET: The Case for Prioritizing Primary Care

Underinvestment in Primary Care Harms Patients

When United States of Care (USofCare) conducted public opinion research to understand people’s experiences with and perceptions of primary care, they articulated a clear vision that primary care in the U.S. should be affordable, accessible, and convenient. However, the health care system is not realizing this vision. Health care costs continue to rapidly rise and directly impact every decision people make about their care, including the decision to delay or skip care altogether. Primary care is the foundation of a high-performing health care system that addresses people’s health care needs.

When we prioritize primary care, we invest in better health outcomes, lower costs, and greater health equity. However, the current health care system – and how it values primary care – does  not realize that vision. 

Despite these benefits, less than five percent of all health care spending goes to primary care, and that number is declining. This underinvestment in primary care in our health care payment systems, particularly in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), is a main contributor to the negative experiences that people have when seeking primary care, including rushed appointments, long wait times, and a lack of care coordination across clinicians. Without meaningful change to improve primary care investment in the Medicare PFS, people will continue to face challenges in their primary care experiences and access. It is imperative that Congress take steps to increase primary care investment through the Medicare PFS.

The new fact sheet below from USofCare and the National Partnership for Women & Families summarizes these research findings on how people across the country view primary care and underscores the negative impact that the Medicare PFS has on patients and the primary care system as a whole.