Atkinson Family Practice

06/23/2026

Ever wonder why it feels like it takes us longer to respond to messages?
Well we truly are swamped most days trying to see the patients who are waiting in the office, waiting for their televisit, or waiting for a portal response.
( in addition to reading your lab and test results, notes from your specialists, conferring w other medical providers,consulting the medical literature and…)

A recent study found that
Portal Messages from Patients Increased 153% Between 2020 And 2025, Study Indicates
The American Journal of Managed Care stated that The findings indicated that “overall, the increase in messaging was not associated with a decrease in office visits.”

This cross-sectional study examines trends in US patient portal messaging, telehealth and telephone encounters, and office visits, assessing differences in messaging by various patient sociodemographic characteristics.

06/22/2026

Someone sent Dr Kate this beautiful dragonfly stained glass. Suzie isnt impressed but the rest of us are

06/20/2026

Some kids are more excited about the flavored tongue depressor than the book.
But really he was excited to find a Berenstein Bear book

06/19/2026

We are open today (as we are most holidays) for the convenience of our patients

06/19/2026

Today the office dress-up theme was
Dress To Impress

06/19/2026

This is very good news. We are headed the right direction.
Thankyou to everyone who contacted their legislators and to Dr Michele and Dr Kate who have both actively been working on healthcare reform.
This is only the first step. Please keep pushing to save primary care!

06/16/2026

Dr Kate had a whirlwind trip to DC with the AAFP. She was part of a small delegation to meet with key legislative aides for our legislators. They had simple, clear asks for Prior Authorization and Case Mgmt reform, facilitating Visas for foreign doctors.
We stressed how hard it is to practice primary care now with the administrative burden and high cost of medical education.

It was time well spent. And we should point out that US Rep McGovern has the best view from his office patio!

06/16/2026

Interestingly this was one of the messages Dr Kate was discussing with legislators today

 Nearly Half Of Americans See Health Insurers As Primary Driver Behind Affordability Issues, Survey Finds
Fierce Healthcare (6/15, Gleeson) reports that amid persistent health care inflation, a new Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare survey “found that nearly half of Americans (47%) view corporate health insurers as the primary driver behind affordability issues.” Based on responses from 2,002 US adults, the survey found that “the federal government and drug companies followed closely behind, at 36% and 34% respectively.”

06/16/2026

Dr Kate is off to meet with legislators in DC today to advocate to:

—Reform Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage plans
—Eliminate Cost-Sharing with Case Management programs with Medicare
—Remind them that primary care doctors improve healthcare and decrease overall costs in communities

06/16/2026

Dr Kate is in DC now with Family Physicians from all over the country to meet with legislators (it took her 24 hours due to several cancelled flights but yet she persisted) to promote primary care especially regarding Medicare