H.R. 8765: Prioritizing Primary Care Act of 2026

This bill, known as the **Prioritizing Primary Care Act of 2026**, aims to enhance primary care within federal health care programs. It introduces two main components: a requirement for annual reports on primary care spending and the establishment of a working group focused on strengthening primary care services.

Annual Reports on Primary Care Spending

The bill requires federal agencies that run health care programs to submit annual reports to Congress specifying:

• The total amount of federal funds spent or allocated for primary care services in the previous year.
• The percentage of total federal health funds that were dedicated to primary care during that same period.

This mandate for reporting is designed to provide better transparency regarding how much is being invested in primary care within federally funded health programs.

Establishment of a Working Group on Primary Care

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services create a working group within one year of the bill's enactment. The key objectives of this working group will be to:

• Investigate how federal health programs can prioritize spending on primary care.
• Explore methods to improve accessibility to primary care providers.
• Enhance the availability and quality of primary care services, particularly for individuals in rural and underserved areas.

The working group will include members from relevant federal agencies and non-governmental organizations as determined by the Secretary. They will be required to submit a report containing their recommendations to Congress within one year of their establishment. Moreover, the group is expected to gather input from states and other relevant stakeholders, including patient representatives and health care professionals, as part of their consultations.

Overall Purpose

The overall objective of this legislation is to ensure more emphasis and investment in primary care services, which are essential for the effective functioning of the broader healthcare system. By enhancing the focus on primary care, the bill aims to improve health outcomes and accessibility for patients across various federal health programs.

Relevant Companies

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