In sum, we know a fair bit about primary care. The public highly values having a provider with whom they have a longstanding relationship and who therefore knows them well and can help them with important decisions. And the evidence suggests that their instincts are correct: They get better care when they have timely access to a knowledgeable provider with whom they’ve had an ongoing relationship. U.S. health systems in which primary care has a stronger role achieve equal or better quality at substantially lower costs. And—perhaps most importantly—the U.S. health systems that are seriously and successfully improving care and reducing costs have decided that their future success depends upon a strong foundation of primary care. How best to build that strong foundation of primary care therefore deserves serious discussion.
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