Affordable Care Act Repeal Without Replacement Harms Patients

America’s frontline physicians reiterate opposition to any effort that leaves patients worse off

Washington, DC— Representing more than half a million of America’s frontline physicians, six major medical organizations—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—oppose any Senate effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Following the recent announcement by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that the Senate will soon vote on such a measure, leaders from the six groups issued the following joint statement:

“Consistent with our steadfast opposition to any legislation that would leave our patients worse off, we oppose any effort by the U.S. Senate to repeal the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, premium and cost-sharing subsidies, and other coverage and consumer protections. We support a bipartisan and transparent process to develop consensus on improvements to current law that would close gaps in coverage. A vote to repeal the ACA absent such consensus would further destabilize the health insurance marketplace, cause massive premium increases, and leave our patients without access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage. We instead urge Congress to start over and engage in a collaborative, bipartisan process to improve our nation’s healthcare system, ensuring continued access to care for our patients, and leaving Medicaid protected, consistent with our joint principles. We look forward to working with elected officials in the days ahead to engage in a meaningful dialogue about how to best meet the needs of our patients in any health care reform legislation.”

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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 positions (5 page PDF) on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP's award-winning consumer website, www.FamilyDoctor.org (www.familydoctor.org).

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 www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds.

About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in over 145 countries worldwide. ACP 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 ACP on Twitter and Facebook.

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. www.acog.org

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 DoctorsThatDO.org 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 www.psychiatry.org.

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