The U.S. health care system is often described as in crisis – reflecting its complexity, inaccessibility, unaffordability, and inequitable care and outcomes. At the root of this system lies an obscure but influential committee that most people have never heard of – the Relative Value Scale Update Committee, also known as the RUC.
This specialist-dominated committee, convened by the American Medical Association, advises the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on how much to pay physicians for health care services, directly affecting access to primary care, health outcomes, and patient experience. That’s why advocates who want to ensure that all patients can build long-term relationships with trusted primary care clinicians who understand their ongoing health needs and coordinate their care, should pay attention to RUC reform.
Download the issue brief: Ensuring Primary Care for All: The Urgent Case for RUC Reform
