In the letter, the organizations stated a need for a health care safety net for low income American families.  | File photo
+ Regulatory
Keri Carbaugh | Jan 11, 2017

Organizations urge Congress to protect access to health care

Almost 400,000 physicians and medical students in four medical organizations including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have written to Congress urging members to protect access to comprehensive health benefits and a stable insurance market.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists want assurance from Congress that lawmakers will not pass any laws that do not protect these two valuable aspects of health care.

“Our organizations have long supported policies that ensure access to health care coverage for all Americans,” AAFP President Dr. John Meigs Jr.  said. “Our members cared for patients who had no insurance before health system reform and saw the devastating effects of delayed or denied health services. Since 2010, they have seen the positive impact of health care reform. They know what the consequences will be if Congress eliminates or dismantles the current law’s access provisions and patient protections.”

In the letter, the organizations stated a need for a health care safety net for low income American families. 

“Right now, we are experiencing historic lows in the number of uninsured children in this country, and that is in large part due to the success of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, along with Affordable Care Act protections like allowing children to remain on their parents’ insurance until they turn 26,” Dr. Benard Dreyer, immediate past president of the AAP, said. “As we face an uncertain health care landscape, we cannot leave our youngest members of society without reliable access to health care coverage. Pediatricians know what children need, and we look forward to working with Congress and our colleagues in medicine to protect our patients.”

Just as important, they stated in the letter, is protecting health insurance premium assistance and cost-sharing subsidies, the loss of which would especially harm the working class because they face the possibility of being "priced out" of good health care.

  

Finally, the organizations want to make sure no person is denied health care because of their pre-existing conditions, family history, age, gender, race, national origin or disability.

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