The Massachusetts Medical Society thanks Massachusetts Health Quality Partners for its continued leadership in measuring patient experience with primary care in the Commonwealth. The MHQP’s statewide survey brings forth data and invaluable patient perspectives that reflect concerning, longstanding, issues rooted in racism and systemic barriers. This data can help inform investment and quality improvement efforts aimed at improving health equity and
redressing historical disparities in patient experience and related poor outcomes.
The lack of a robust, diverse, and culturally competent primary care workforce contributes to disparate patient experience and related, unacceptable health disparities. Addressing and correcting inequities in health care begins with rebuilding our state’s
fragile primary care system to ensure that all patients have better access to a primary care team that meets their needs.
To that end, the Medical Society applauds the work of the Health Equity Compact and will continue to advocate for the passage of policies that will ultimately lead to
improved quality of and equitable access to care for our patients, including establishing cultural and linguistic standards for our accountable care organizations and promoting measurable diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and health equity
continuing education for health care professionals.
The Medical Society looks forward to continuing to work with legislators and regulators on these initiatives and other actions that will grow and diversify our primary care workforce, including increased investment in primary care, support for continuation
and expansion of telehealth services, and reduction of barriers to medical education and training.
-Barbara S. Spivak, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
