Dr. Elaine Batchlor Co-Authors National Academy of Medicine Roadmap for Transforming U.S. Health Care
LOS ANGELES (January 22, 2025) – Health care in the United States is among the most technologically advanced in the world, yet it fails to meet the needs of many Americans. Dr. Elaine Batchlor, CEO of MLK Community Healthcare, has co-authored a groundbreaking paper addressing this issue: “From Laggard to Leader: Why American Health Care Is Failing, and How to Fix It.”
Published as part of the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Vital Directions for Health and Health Care: Priorities for 2025 initiative, the paper provides a forward-thinking roadmap for systemic transformation. It will also appear in the February 2025 edition of Health Affairs, the leading journal for health policy research.
The recommendations come as the U.S. transitions into a new federal administration, offering timely and actionable strategies to improve health outcomes, reduce systemic inequities in healthcare and achieve affordable care for all. Dr. Batchlor is part of a distinguished group of eight co-authors, representing leading institutions such as the Urban Institute, Stanford University and New York University.
Together, these thought leaders developed eight guiding principles to transform the U.S. healthcare system:
- Universal Access: All Americans should have access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage and care.
- Integrated Primary Care: Primary care should anchor the health and well-being of all Americans.
- Incentivized Health Outcomes: Population-based payment models should drive improvements in health outcomes.
- Equity and Social Determinants: Social determinants of health and equity must be prioritized.
- Simplified Financing: Administrative complexity should be minimized for greater efficiency.
- Transparency and Accountability: Professionalism and transparency should underpin accountability.
- Data-Driven Innovation: Continuous learning and data-informed decision-making should guide health systems.
- Governance and Oversight: Strong governance is essential to protect community health needs.
Dr. Batchlor’s contributions to this initiative reflect her commitment to health equity, which she champions through her leadership at MLK Community Healthcare. Programs like MLKCH’s proactive insurance screening, application assistance and affordability measures work to prevent medical debt while ensuring patients receive the care they need without financial barriers.
“Getting needed medical care should not leave Americans in debt—and medical debt should not be the reason they can’t get care,” said Dr. Batchlor. “A bold, systemic transformation is essential to ensure affordable, equitable and high-quality care for all.”
Updated every four years to coincide with federal leadership changes, NAM’s Vital Directions series identifies key health policy priorities such as transforming care delivery, integrating artificial intelligence, modernizing public health, addressing climate change, improving women’s health and advancing biomedical research.
Access the complete Vital Directions for Health and Health Care: Priorities for 2025 series here: NAM Vital Directions. The National Academy of Medicine has scheduled a virtual briefing for the series on February 27 from 9 to 10 a.m. PT. During the event, lead authors from each paper will present key takeaways. Register for the event here.
About MLK Community Healthcare
MLK Community Healthcare (MLKCH) is an integrated healthcare delivery system that serves the medically underserved community of South Los Angeles. MLKCH offers emergency and inpatient care through its hospital, MLK Community Hospital, and primary and specialty care through the MLK Community Medical Group, with practice sites in multiple locations throughout South Los Angeles. MLKCH also offers community health education and outreach to improve the health of our community. Since its opening in 2015, the hospital and health system has earned awards and headlines for its innovative approaches to quality, safety and patient satisfaction.