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Across the country health care systems and advocates are using "Primary Care Week" to promote the importance of this type of care, particularly its effect on and importance to underserved populations.
In Oregon, primary care is at the heart of health system transformation for people covered by Medicaid, for state workers and educators, and for the general public.
The state's patient-centered primary care home program, which began in 2011, has grown to 516 recognized clinics over the past three years. There are certified clinics in 34 of Oregon's 36 counties. These providers serve all types of patients across the state. Patient-centered primary care homes have to meet a set of criteria in order to be certified. The standards of care for these providers are clear. To be certified they must be:
- Accessible: Care is available when patients need it.
- Accountable: Clinics take responsibility for their community and provide high-quality care.
- Comprehensive: Patients get the care, information and services they need to stay healthy.
- Continuous: Providers know their patients and work with them to improve their health over time.
- Coordinated: Clinics help patients navigate the health care system to get the care they need in a safe and timely way.
- Patient- and family-centered: Patients and families are the most important part of health care. Care should draw on a patient's strengths to set goals, and communication should be culturally competent and understandable for all.
Primary care is so fundamental to our vision for the future of health care that we have set a goal that 100 percent of Medicaid members be enrolled in a patient-centered primary care home. Today we are at 78 percent, a huge improvement over just a few years ago. Primary care is also central to the health plans being offered through PEBB for 2015. A health care system that understands what we need and provides services that focus on us as patients is truly the best way to improve care, improve health, and lower costs.
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