Primary care is the foundation of the American health care system.

Primary care is the foundation of our medical system.

Yet more and more people report not having a regular place for care. In the second annual Health of U.S. Primary Care Scorecard, the AAFP’s Robert Graham Center researchers give a number of reasons why access to primary care is worsening and particularly noted: 

• The U.S. continues to underinvest in primary care, despite diminishing supply and growing demand. The share of total U.S. health care spending devoted to primary care stayed under 5% from 2012 to 2021.

Primary care is the only health care component for which an increased supply is associated with better population health and more equitable outcomes. Despite the significant role that primary care plays in our health system, primary care accounts for a mere 5% of total health care spending .

It’s time to invest more.

North Carolina is considering following a number of other states and increasing investment in primary care.  Last year, the NC General Assembly established a Primary Care Payment Reform Task Force to study the issue and make recommendations. While the work of this Task Force is a good first step, the work must continue with bold new initiatives to ensure the future of primary care in our state and cost effective quality care for those who live here.