Expanding Access to Primary Care in Underserved Communities Is the Future of Healthcare

​​The healthcare industry has always been complex and rapidly evolving, essential to maintaining the health and well-being of individuals and communities. With the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19 and an aging population, we must prepare for changes in the healthcare industry in the near future. But what needs to change?

​​Hugh Lytle, the CEO and Founder of Equality Health—a technology-enabled primary care platform uniquely equipped to address the needs of diverse and historically underserved populations—believes we must expand the focus of primary care to ensure a beneficial healthcare system. Traditionally, primary care is focused on treating, not preventing, physical illnesses and injuries. However, in the future, expect to see a broader definition of primary care that considers the social and behavioral factors that impact health. This could include mental health, addiction treatment, and community-based programs that address the social determinants of health.

“Our business model is designed to support primary care physicians who serve the most vulnerable patients, focusing on value-based care and wraparound services,” said Lytle. “We believe that businesses can play a critical role in addressing the social determinants of health and improving healthcare outcomes for all Americans.”

Beyond primary care, Lytle sees four other key areas that need to change in the healthcare industry.

Better Access

Underserved communities need greater access to healthcare resources. The lack of healthcare resources in underserved communities is one of the most pressing issues facing the healthcare industry. This problem affects millions of Americans who live in poverty, particularly in rural areas. In the future, we can expect to see a greater focus on creating accessible healthcare resources for these communities. This could include increased funding for community health clinics, telehealth programs, and mobile healthcare units.

Improved Quality of Care for Vulnerable Populations

Disparities in healthcare quality are still a major problem in the US but in the future expect to see efforts to improve the quality of care for vulnerable populations, including those who rely on Medicaid. This could include initiatives to reduce wait times, improve access to specialists, and increase funding for preventive care.

Affordability

Healthcare in the US is notoriously expensive. Many Americans struggle to afford basic medical care. In the future, we can expect to see efforts to make healthcare more affordable, such as increasing subsidies for low-income families, expanding Medicaid eligibility, and price controls for prescription drugs.

Universal Healthcare Coverage

Finally, we can expect continued efforts to achieve universal healthcare coverage in the US. While this is a challenging and politically fraught issue, there is growing support for universal coverage among the public and within the healthcare industry. This could involve a range of strategies, such as implementing a single-payer system by expanding Medicare to cover all Americans, expanding Medicaid to all 50 states, or creating a public option for health insurance.

The healthcare industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges that demand a significant overhaul in our approach to healthcare delivery. Lytle advocates prioritizing primary care and broadening its scope to encompass social and behavioral factors to enhance healthcare outcomes for all Americans. Although implementing such changes may be difficult, there is increasing support for creating a fair, comprehensive healthcare system that tackles the social determinants of health and elevates healthcare outcomes for all.