Rouzer, Bipartisan Primary Care Caucus Co-Chairs Introduce Prioritizing Primary Care Act

Rouzer, Bipartisan Primary Care Caucus Co-Chairs Introduce Prioritizing Primary Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07), along with the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Primary Care Caucus, Representatives Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), and Ami Bera (D-CA-06), introduced H.R. 8765, the Prioritizing Primary Care Act of 2026 to better understand how federal healthcare spending can guide policies to expand primary care access and improve patient outcomes nationwide.

Research consistently shows use of primary care systems are associated with better health outcomes, lower healthcare costs, and improved access to care. Despite these benefits, the United States currently dedicates just five percent of total healthcare spending to primary care. H.R. 8765 requires the federal government to submit reports on primary care spending under federal healthcare programs and establishes a working group on primary care.

"Families across the country, particularly in rural areas like Southeastern North Carolina, continue to face a shortage of primary care providers," said Congressman Rouzer. "That shortage makes it harder to access the consistent, preventive care needed to improve health outcomes and save lives. This legislation will help us better understand how federal healthcare dollars are being spent and how those investments can more effectively support primary care, improve patient outcomes, and thereby lower healthcare costs for patients and taxpayers."

"We know that investing in primary care results in better health outcomes for patients and savings on other services. By measuring federal spending on primary care services across federal agencies that provide health care coverage to Americans and standardizing accounting for those services, we can give ourselves the basis of knowledge we need to increase investment in primary care," said Congressman Joe Courtney.

"Primary care plays a critical role in reducing long-term healthcare costs, preventing chronic illness, and limiting overcrowding in emergency rooms," said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. "As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I've seen firsthand how access to quality primary care can improve outcomes and strengthen communities. I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Prioritizing Primary Care Act to ensure federal healthcare dollars are being invested effectively and to improve access to quality care for families across the nation!"

"As a doctor, I know that primary care is the foundation of a healthier, more affordable health care system," said Congressman Bera. "Investing in primary care helps prevent disease, improve patient outcomes, and lower costs over the long term. This bipartisan bill will help us better understand how federal health care dollars are being spent and identify ways to expand access to care, especially in rural and underserved communities."

The Prioritizing Primary Care Act of 2026:

• Requires federal agencies to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the specific percentage of healthcare spending allocated to primary care.
• Establishes a federal working group to develop targeted recommendations for expanding the primary care workforce, with a dedicated focus on rural and medically underserved communities.

You can find the full text of the Prioritizing Primary Care Act 2026 here.

The Congressional Primary Care Caucus, originally established in 2015 by Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) and Joe Courtney (CT-02), works to educate Congress on the importance of a comprehensive, continuous, coordinated, and patient-centered primary care system for communities across the country.