Taking the temperature of the debate over who should provide primary care

Hour 2

It is widely acknowledged that access to primary care effectively reduces health care costs. The Affordable Care Act, our nation’s new health care law, is expected to add 32 million Americans to the rolls of the insured thus increasing the demand for primary health care.  At the same time, there is a shortage of primary care providers.  A new report from the Institute of Medicine calls for expanding the roles of advanced practice registered nurses — nurses with master’s degrees — to be able to practice independently from physicians.  As a result, many physician groups are resisting the proposal.  In this hour of Radio Times we talk about the future of primary care with FRED RALSTON, president of the American College of Physicians and an internist in private practice and ELLEN-MARIE WHELAN, an advanced practice nurse with the Center for American Progress.

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[audio: 122110_110630.mp3]