Attributable to:
Wayne J. Riley, MD, MPH, MBA, MACP
President
American College of Physicians (ACP)
Washington, October 8, 2015 -- Primary care is essential to an effective and high-performing health care system.
That's why The American College of Physicians (ACP) today applauds the formation of the Congressional Primary Care Caucus. Spearheaded by Representatives David Rouzer (R-NC) and Joe Courtney (D-CT), the Caucus is made up of an expanding number of bipartisan members of Congress who are dedicated to advancing public policy that establishes, promotes, and preserves a well-trained, high-quality primary care workforce and delivery system as the foundation of our nation's health care system. The Caucus will focus its efforts on an approach to advance primary care that is comprehensive; continuous; connected; equitable to all regardless of age, race, or gender; and is mindful of social determinants that may hinder access to primary care for some individuals.
Primary care saves money and improves health. Efforts to expand health care coverage will fail to achieve improvements in access, quality and efficiency of care without primary care physicians.
The recommendations advanced by this Caucus, ACP and other health care organizations offer a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges facing primary care.
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 143,000 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.
Contact:
David Kinsman, (202) 261-4554, dkinsman@acponline.org