U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on Dec. 5 proposed a bipartisan bill that would facilitate direct primary care (DPC) arrangements under Medicaid, a model that includes predictable, lower costs, improved access, and reduced administrative burdens.
The Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act, S. 5432, which Sen. Blackburn sponsored alongside original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), would clarify that state Medicaid programs have the authority to explore and implement DPC arrangements for Medicaid beneficiaries.
“The Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act would address disproportionate healthcare coverage in rural areas by providing states with greater flexibility to address primary care challenges within Medicaid populations,” Sen. Blackburn said, noting that rural residents often experience worse health outcomes and higher hospital utilization compared to urban populations.
“Seventy-eight of Tennessee’s 95 counties are rural, making it extremely important to improve primary care access for Medicaid recipients in these communities,” she said.
The DPC healthcare delivery approach would allow patients to pay a flat, monthly fee for access to primary care services, enabling predictable costs and potentially improving care coordination and outcomes, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Blackburn’s staff.
By codifying this authority, the bill aims to provide states with greater flexibility to address primary care access challenges within Medicaid populations, the summary says.
“Access to quality primary care is essential for the health and well-being of Arizonans,” said Sen. Kelly. “By expanding care options for patients, this bill will allow providers to meaningfully address health needs and improve preventive care.”