The primary care crisis paradox - Takeaways - MDSpire

The primary care crisis paradox

  • By

  • Christopher P. Childers

  • Thomas C. Tsai

  • July 10, 2026

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  • 1

    Primary care in America is succeeding, with nearly all Medicare beneficiaries having a primary care provider and rising compensation for PCPs.

  • 2

    Lower life expectancy in the U.S. is largely driven by external causes such as drugs, alcohol, and violence, not inadequate primary care access.

  • 3

    Countries with better health outcomes than the U.S. have less poverty and violence, not necessarily more primary care visits per capita.

  • 4

    The Medicare payment system creates a zero-sum competition, where increases in primary care funding come at the expense of specialty care.

  • 5

    Improving health in the U.S. requires investment in social conditions and a payment system that recognizes the importance of specialist access.

Original Source(s)

The primary care crisis paradox

  • by Christopher P. Childers, Thomas C. Tsai

  • July 10, 2026

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