Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Medicaid, Improve Primary Care Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier M.D. (WA-08), Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), and Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) introduced the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act. This bipartisan bill will improve access to primary care by strengthening Medicaid’s ability to engage in direct primary care arrangements.
“As a doctor, I know what a crucial role primary care plays in keeping people healthy, preventing chronic disease, catching medical conditions earlier, and avoiding trips to the emergency department,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation, which will make it clear that Medicaid can participate in direct primary care arrangements that help expand access to primary care and achieve better health outcomes.”
Access to primary care is an essential component of comprehensive health care, particularly with regard to preventative care. Unfortunately, the United States is projected to have a primary care physician shortage of up to 40,400 by 2036, causing millions of Americans to go without reliable access to vital primary care. A shortage of this capacity would be particularly devastating in rural communities, where there is already a lack of primary care access.
Congresswoman Schrier’s bill clarifies that state Medicaid programs may engage in direct primary care arrangements. This would allow for an approach wherein physicians are paid a flat monthly rate per patient, and in exchange, patients have improved access to their physician. Direct primary care models have been shown to achieve better patient outcomes, lower costs, stronger relationships between physicians and patients, and improved patient and physician satisfaction.
“This bill incentivizes a form of healthcare that is better for patients and for the American taxpayer,” said Congressman Crenshaw. “We can address cost and workforce challenges by allowing state Medicaid programs to innovate so that patients can access direct primary physicians. We need every available healthcare provider to improve preventative care and confront the provider shortage that is impacting too many communities across America.”
“As a mom, I know how important it is for families to have access to reliable primary care,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “When families have a long-term relationship with a primary care physician, they are able to catch illness and health challenges earlier, improve outcomes, and reduce costly emergency room visits. I’m glad to work on this bipartisan solution to break down barriers that prevent Medicaid patients from receiving direct primary care and ensure families can access the care they need.”
“Direct primary care keeps patients out of the emergency room, improves health outcomes, and will yield savings to the Medicaid program,” said Congressman Smucker. “When state Medicaid programs innovate on behalf of their patients, especially by leveraging value-based care delivery models like direct primary care, patients and taxpayers are the winners. I look forward to working together to advance this legislation.”
“The Direct Primary Care Coalition applauds Reps. Crenshaw and Schrier for coming together on this bipartisan bill to bring the best possible primary care to Americans with lower incomes,” said Jay Keese, Executive Director of the Direct Primary Care Coalition. “This bill clears old federal regulatory roadblocks and encourages states to give Medicaid beneficiaries the option to choose a DPC practice for their primary care needs rather than seeking routine medical care in the ER. Studies have long shown that individuals who have a lasting relationship with a primary care doctor have far better health outcomes. This common-sense bill potentially saves states millions of dollars by cutting unneeded care delivered in more expensive acute care settings.”
“Direct primary care (DPC) provides a pathway to continuous, comprehensive, coordinated primary care for patients,” said Jen Brull, MD, President, American Academy of Family Physicians. “However, too many physicians face legal and financial obstacles to fully embrace this model. The AAFP supports the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act, which will help remove existing barriers to expand affordable access to DPC. Addressing this barrier will help improve access to primary care for some of the nation’s most vulnerable and underserved populations.”
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