Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD
Assistant Secretary for Health
Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 716G
Washington, DC 20201
Submitted electronically via OASHPrimaryHealthCare@hhs.gov
SUBJECT: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) Primary Health Care Request for Information (RFI)
Dear Admiral Levine:
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), we appreciate the opportunity to respond to the above-referenced OASH RFI on primary health care.
The RFI notes that “…our nation’s primary health care foundation is weakening and in need of support: primary health care is under-resourced; the workforce is shrinking; workforce well-being is in peril; and many practices face reimbursement challenges that may result in financial instability.” We believe that it is essential to point out that these stresses are not unique to primary care, as they affect all physicians. Therefore, we urge you to carefully consider the impact of recommendations on both primary and specialty care physicians and their patients. Policymakers should be driving towards a well-functioning health care system that meets the needs of all patients. While primary care may be a critical foundation of our health care system, patients also need timely access to quality specialty care.
Click here to view the full AANS and CNS Comment on Primary Care RFI.
