Why Primary Care?

A strong foundation of primary care will transform the healthcare system.

The healthcare landscape is rapidly changing; and primary care, long an afterthought in the world of healthcare, is now seen as a critical piece to improve the patient healthcare experience, the health of populations, and reduce healthcare costs.

Primary care is crucial to healthcare reform:  Primary care must be expanded and transformed into a patient-centered model of care to ensure every patient has access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place.  Primary care is a key element for preventing and managing illness; reducing costs related to avoidable hospitalizations, duplication of procedures, and medical errors; and has a profound impact on healthcare quality. 

Primary care is the foundation of health system integration:  High-performing, integrated health systems are those that include the entire spectrum of services built on a foundation of patient-centered primary care. Improving care and reducing costs requires more than primary care alone; it means integrating primary care with mental and behavioral health, specialty care, hospital and long term care services, and community resources.  

Primary care creates stronger, healthier communities:  By keeping families healthy, primary care promotes workforce productivity, educational attainment, and fosters positive community developments.  The presence of primary care practices, such as community health centers, also produces quality permanent jobs for residents at all levels of skill and educational achievement.