Primary care practices are the first place people go for preventive health care, urgent health concerns, and management of chronic illnesses. Excellent primary care constitutes the foundation of a health care system that is high quality, low cost, and equitable. But as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many primary care practices across the United States are on the brink of collapse.
In a new blog post from Mathematica, Senior Fellow Diane Rittenhouse, Co-Director of the Larry A. Green Center Rebecca Etz, and Senior Researcher Janice Genevro suggest a Primary Care Service Corps to provide money, technical assistance, personnel, and other direct support for primary care practices nationwide. Modeled on the federal Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which were established in the wake of the Great Depression, a Primary Care Service Corps could strengthen and improve the nation’s primary care infrastructure while boosting regional economies.