America’s Physicians Stand Together to Protect Women’s Health

January 25, 2017

The women of America have an enormous amount at stake as Congress debates the future of health insurance coverage. For seven years, current law has guaranteed women no-copay coverage of preventive services and coverage for maternity care. It’s guaranteed that no woman will be charged more for, or denied, coverage because of her gender, because she was the victim of domestic violence, or because she had a previous C-section. Current law has also facilitated expanded Medicaid programs, adopted in 31 states covering 10 million individuals, which offer care coverage to many low income women and their families.

The undersigned organizations, representing 500,000 physicians, want America’s women to know we’re here for you, and we’re dedicated to protecting these important health care guarantees.

Healthy women are the foundation of our economy and our society. Healthy women give birth to healthier babies, dramatically reducing costs associated with poor birth outcomes. Healthy women can better participate in our economy and our workforce, and can reach higher levels of educational attainment.

Our organizations, with longstanding traditions of patient advocacy, stand together to:

  1. Ensure women unencumbered access to affordable, evidence-based health care throughout their lifespan
  2. Oppose political interference in the patient-provider relationship
  3. Protect and retain current benefits and coverage for women, including preventive care and banning gender rating
  4. Protect Medicaid coverage and financing, ensuring consistent treatment of qualified providers

We call on the President and the US Congress to stand with us and for America’s women.

John Meigs, Jr., MD, FAAFP
President
American Academy of Family Physicians

Wanda D. Filer, MD, MBA, FAAP
Board Chair
American Academy of Family Physicians

Fernando Stein, MD, FAAP
President
American Academy of Pediatrics

Colleen A. Kraft, MD, FAAP
President-Elect
American Academy of Pediatrics

Nitin S. Damle, MD, MS, MACP
President
American College of Physicians

Darilyn V. Moyer, MD, FACP
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President
American College of Physicians

Thomas M. Gellhaus, MD
President
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Lisa M. Hollier, MD, MPH
President Elect in Nomination
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Boyd R. Buser, DO
President
American Osteopathic Association

Adrienne White-Faines, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
American Osteopathic Association