It’s 2026, and America’s health is suffering. Chronic diseases now make up a staggering 90% of our $4.9 trillion healthcare budget. Yet, we allocate only 5% to primary care. This lack of investment has resulted in millions of Americans lacking consistent healthcare, a situation that simply cannot continue.
Former President Trump took steps to address this issue during his first term. His initiatives included updates to medical billing codes and significant investments in telemedicine and medical education. These efforts helped stabilize family medicine during tough times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, there’s a call to action to expand on those initial gains. To improve the nation’s health, we need to strengthen primary care. Ensuring every American has a relationship with a primary care physician is essential.
Recent changes to Medicare illustrate this commitment. The new 2026 physician fee schedule acknowledges the time doctors spend with patients, offering better compensation for complex care. These shifts are making a positive impact.
Globally, countries that invest more in primary care see their citizens living longer, healthier lives. For instance, nations featured in reports by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Commonwealth Fund have achieved better health outcomes while spending less on healthcare. In contrast, America’s underinvestment correlates with rising healthcare costs and declining health.
To turn the tide, primary care doctors present several solutions:
Recruit New Physicians: Consider waiving interest on federal student loans for family doctors during residency and their first decade in practice.
Improve Access: Promote Direct Primary Care (DPC) models, allowing Medicaid patients to work with these practices while protecting independent care options.
Invest in Community Health: Increase funding for community health centers to serve underserved areas, doubling current investments.
Remove Barriers: Eliminate out-of-pocket costs for primary care visits for those with employer-sponsored insurance.
Support Rural Care: Offer tax incentives for physicians practicing in rural areas.
Protect Maternity Care: Extend liability protections for family doctors and obstetricians in rural settings.
Encourage Innovation: Use advancements from recent medical breakthroughs to develop new treatments.
These strategies aim to enhance the primary care workforce and ensure accessible, high-quality preventive care for all Americans. The stakes are high, with chronic diseases and rising costs threatening our healthcare system’s future. If policymakers recognize the root cause of these issues—historic underfunding in primary care—we can reshape our healthcare landscape for a healthier future.
Shawn Martin is the EVP and CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
