Washington, D.C. (July 28, 2017) — Representing more than half a million of America's frontline physicians, leaders from six major medical organizations including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Psychiatric Association, issued the following joint statement following the Senate’s vote not to advance the Health Care Freedom Act:
“For months, our organizations have partnered together to express steadfast opposition to harmful health care reform legislation in Congress. Today, we are grateful that our patients do not face an uncertain future and a health care system that would fail to meet their needs.
“The Health Care Freedom Act, like the many iterations of legislation that came before it, would have left our patients and our members with less accessible, less affordable, and less comprehensive health care coverage.
“There is a better way forward. Now that this bill has not advanced, we encourage the U.S. Congress to return to regular order, where health care reform is addressed in an open process that includes committee hearings, markups and public input and analysis from physicians, patients and other experts. This is the only way to achieve bipartisan, practical solutions that will lower costs to our patients without jeopardizing their access to medical services.
“With our joint principles as a guide, we turn to the future, and welcome the opportunity to work with elected officials from both sides of the aisle to improve our health care system by making sure everyone has access to safe, affordable and quality health care.”
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About the American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 124,900 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits -- that's 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America's underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine's cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit . For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP's award-winning consumer website, .
About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 66,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds.
About the American College of Physicians
The is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. 91 membership includes 152,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow 91 on and .
About the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), a 501(c)(3) organization, is the nation's leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of more than 58,000 members, The College strongly advocates for quality health care for women, maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members, promotes patient education, and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women's health care. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a 501(c)(6) organization, is its companion.
About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 129,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; and is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools. Visit to learn more about osteopathic medicine.
About the American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is the oldest medical association in the country founded in 1844. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 37,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. Follow us on Twitter at @APAPsychiatric. For more information please visit .
Media contacts:
American Academy of Family Physicians: Megan Moriarty | (800) 274-2237, Ext. 5223 | mmoriarty@aafp.org
American Academy of Pediatrics: Jamie Poslosky | 202-724-3301 | jposlosky@aap.org
American College of Physicians: Jackie Blaser | 202-261-4572 | jblaser@acponline.org
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Megan Christin | 202-863-2423 | mchristin@acog.org
American Osteopathic Association: Jessica Bardoulas | 312-202-8038 | jbardoulas@osteopathic.org
American Psychiatric Association: Glenn O’Neal | 703-907-8640 | GONeal@psych.org