MHQP Offers Important Webinar: Primary Care at a Critical Crossroads

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many primary care practices found themselves struggling to survive amid substantial uncertainty. Yet, last month, when the National Academy of Medicine issued its new report, Implementing High-Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care, it received very little attention.

On June 29, 2021, MHQP hosted an important webinar to highlight the recommendations from the report and discuss what should be done to protect the future of primary care in Massachusetts. We called it:

“Primary Care Is at a Crossroads: What’s Next for Massachusetts After the National Academy of Medicine Report?”

Our guest speaker was Chris Koller, president of the Milbank Memorial Fund and a member of the advisory committee that produced the report. He was joined by Massachusetts healthcare leaders who provided their perspectives on the report and what’s next for primary care in our state:

  • Marylou Sudders, MSW, ACSW, Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Cindy Friedman, Massachusetts State Senator and Chair of Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
  • Carole Allen, MD, MBA, FAAP, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
  • Barbara Spivak, MD, President and CEO, Mount Auburn Cambridge Independent Practice Association (MACIPA)
  • Jean Yang, MBA, President of Public Plans, Tufts Health Plan
  • Julita Mir, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Community Care Cooperative (C3)
  • Paul Pirraglia, MD, MPH, Division Chief, General Medicine and Community Health, Baystate Health
  • Lucilia Prates, Director, MA Senior Medicare Patrol Program, Elder Services of Merrimack Valley
  • Bonnie Thompson, Family-Centered Child Healthcare Advocate
  • Gerri Burruel, Senior Advisor, Purchaser Innovation and Engagement at Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH)

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