PCDC’s Primary Care Summit: National leaders discuss the importance of investing in primary care
PCDC’s 2023 Primary Care Summit: Moving Towards a Primary Care-Centric Health System, A Cornerstone of Equitable Communities was held on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Manny Cantor Center in New York City.
The Summit focused on critical considerations for centering the health care system around primary care and featured panelists James V. McDonald, MD, MPH, New York State Commissioner of Health; Cory King, MPP, Acting Health Insurance Commissioner for the State of Rhode Island; and Joseph R. Betancourt, MD, MPH, President of The Commonwealth Fund – and was moderated by PCDC CEO, Louise Cohen, MPH.
Ms. Cohen opened the program with a brief introduction of PCDC’s 30-year commitment to supporting vibrant, thriving communities through increased access to primary care. She asked the audience to consider the concept that primary care is a common good, just like clean air, clean water, and good schools.
Why must primary care be central to the health care system? Watch a brief highlight from the discussion in which the panelists share their perspectives.
“We define public health as all the people, all the time."
"Primary care is the first point of contact for patients, facilitates chronic disease management, and supports more efficient use of the health care dollar. And, of course, our health care dollars are growing at an extraordinary rate. So, we need primary care to really serve that function."
"We serve as brokers really to address the social needs and social determinants of vulnerable populations as it relates to health equity.”
The panel discussion lasted for over an hour, ending with questions from the audience. Afterward, attendees, panelists, and PCDC staff gathered for a reception and networking.
2023 Primary Care Summit: Moving Towards a Primary Care-Centric Health System, A Cornerstone of Equitable Communities was an opportunity to hear from national leaders about how primary care is central to health equity and can make a difference in the lives of all communities. The complete panel discussion can be viewed in the link above.
PCDC will continue to share information on the importance of investing in primary care by convening discussions and distributing materials such as PCDC’s latest update on primary care policy trends – State Trends Primary Care Policy Update.
