California sets primary care spending benchmark of 15% by 2024

The Health Care Affordability Board meeting held on April 11, 2025, focused on critical discussions surrounding primary care spending and regulatory amendments in California. The meeting highlighted a recent report from the Milbank Memorial Fund, which examined efforts by five states, including California, to enhance primary care funding.

A key finding from the report revealed that while 35% of healthcare visits are to primary care physicians, only 5% of healthcare spending is allocated to primary care. This disparity underscores the necessity for increased investment in primary care to improve access, address workforce shortages, and maintain affordability in healthcare services. The report emphasized the importance of state-level initiatives, particularly in light of the lack of federal consensus on healthcare spending.

California's commitment to a benchmark of 15% investment in primary care by 2034 was noted as a significant step forward. The state also has a relative improvement benchmark, aiming for an increase of 0.5% to 1% each year, which will be monitored closely. Other states mentioned in the report include Connecticut, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Virginia, each with varying targets and challenges in meeting their primary care spending goals.

In addition to the primary care discussions, the meeting addressed proposed amendments to the Total Healthcare Expenditures Data Submission Regulations. These amendments aim to enhance data collection and reporting processes, ensuring better oversight of healthcare spending in California.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration and support among board members and stakeholders to advance the mission of improving healthcare affordability and access in the state. The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to address the pressing challenges in California's healthcare system, emphasizing the need for strategic investments in primary care.