National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)

In 2021, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) produced a report, “Implementing High-Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care,” that outlines a plan to advance and strengthen the primary care system.

NASEM also created a standing committee of national experts to inform the public sector’s efforts by maintaining surveillance of the primary care field, including studies and changes in clinical practices and policies. In 2023, NYHealth awarded NASEM a grant to convene this expert panel to inform and strengthen the nation’s primary care system.

Under this grant, NASEM will operate its standing expert committee over three years to inform federal efforts to strengthen primary care. NASEM will engage a committee of 18 experts from across the country, including primary care clinicians, researchers, and policy experts. It will convene two to four public meetings annually; experts from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, and Agriculture will also be invited to participate. Discussion topics may include primary care access across patient populations, care delivery and payment models, primary care workforce, and team-based care. Additionally, NASEM will develop a series of policy briefs and make recommendations to inform policymaking, disseminating reports through its monthly newsletter, social media, and press outreach. It will also share the committee’s findings and recommendations with federal policymakers.