Cost board approves primary-care spending goal and workforce funding for legislative report

The Health Care Cost Transparency Board on Sept. 23 approved recommendations from its Primary Care Advisory Committee to increase the state's primary-care spending ratio and prioritize workforce funding as part of the agency's legislative report. Director Ryan Moran said the board will include the committee's four recommendations in the draft report that staff plan to post for public comment.

The committee's top recommendation asks the Legislature to set a goal of "increasing primary care spend by 1% per year to reach and maintain the 12% goal," and to pair that commitment with workforce supports, the board heard. Dr. Judy Zerzan, chair of the Primary Care Advisory Committee, presented the data and options before the vote: "they voted on to prioritize increasing primary care spend by 1% annually to reach and maintain the 12% goal." Board members also approved language reaffirming strengthened market-transaction oversight and asked staff to clarify details in the legislative text on implementation and equity across payer segments.

Supporters framed the package as an incremental, measurable step lawmakers can take next session. Several members cautioned that increased primary‑care investment should be described in the report alongside the board's work on cost containment and market oversight so the Legislature can see how rebalance and accountability measures fit together. Staff said the draft legislative report will be posted on the HCA website for a 14-day public comment period before returning to the board for final approval.