A recent Boston Globe report draws renewed attention to the mounting strain on primary care in Massachusetts, as state leaders consider a proposal to dramatically increase investment in the sector. The recommendation, advanced by a state-appointed task force, calls for effectively doubling the share of health care spending dedicated to primary care over the next several years.

The proposal reflects growing concern that primary care—the front door to the health system—is being stretched thin. Patients face long waits for appointments, practices struggle to recruit and retain clinicians, and access gaps persist across regions, particularly outside major metropolitan areas. These pressures are intensifying as Massachusetts’ population ages and demand for ongoing, coordinated care continues to rise.

While the focus of the debate is primary care, the underlying challenges are deeply familiar to home care and home health agencies. Workforce shortages, rising operating costs, and uneven access to services are daily realities across home-based care. As primary care practices struggle to meet patient needs, the ability of home-based providers to support patients safely at home becomes even more critical.

The task force’s recommendations—developed with input from policymakers, providers, and regulators—are intended to rebalance health care spending without increasing overall cost growth. Oversight and accountability would likely fall to state agencies such as the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, with an emphasis on transparency and long-term system sustainability.

Importantly, the conversation signals a broader recognition: strengthening primary care alone is not enough. Effective care for older adults and people with complex needs depends on a well-supported continuum that includes home care and home health services. Investments that stop at the clinic door risk falling short if patients cannot access reliable, high-quality care where they live.

As this proposal moves into legislative debate, home-based providers will be watching closely. Any serious effort to stabilize and expand primary care must be matched by policies and funding that recognize the essential role of care delivered in the home.