This alarming report by Jessica Bartlett published in The Boston Globe highlights the growing primary care crisis in Massachusetts. In short, this foundational element of our healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. The report underscores critical issues: a dwindling Primary Care workforce, poor access for patients, and a system that fails to incentivize the very care that keeps people healthier and reduces overall healthcare costs. Despite Massachusetts boasting some of the most prestigious physicians and healthcare institutions, primary care remains undervalued and overburdened, leaving both patients and providers in unsustainable conditions. The focus on short-term fixes, reactive care, and misaligned incentives has left employers and employees to bear the brunt of skyrocketing costs and diminishing returns. Without bold and strategic action, this broken system will continue to harm employers’ bottom lines, employee well-being, and community health outcomes.
Employers need to meet this crisis head-on and the time to act is now. Delay could be very costly. Employers who embrace proactive, strategic healthcare purchasing—led by a dedicated partner with deep expertise on acquiring advanced primary care services for employees—have the opportunity to walk away from this broken system and embrace one that delivers more value for their organizations and their people. In short this article is a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. It’s also a call to action for leaders to take ownership of their healthcare strategy and work toward building a system that aligns incentives, strengthens primary care, and delivers long-term value. The status quo can't fix this problem - they created it.
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