Statement attributable to:
Rick Kellerman, M.D.
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) supports Rep. Rahm Emanuel’s draft legislation which provides expanded health care coverage for America’s uninsured children.
“This is a bold and necessary bi-partisan move to help focus our floundering health care system on one of America’s most underserved populations – our children.
“Rep. Emanuel’s draft legislation would allow parents to more easily enroll uninsured children in SCHIP (The State Children’s Health Insurance Plan) or Medicaid at the same time as they apply for other public programs, like reduced-cost lunches or food stamps. The proposal would provide states with the additional funds needed to enroll eligible children.
“The draft legislation also calls for a new tax credit to help families cover some of the cost of providing private health insurance for their children.
“We applaud Rep. Emanuel for taking a portion of the proposal the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured (HCCU) put forth a few weeks ago and inserting it into the Congressional consciousness.
“The HCCU coalition of 16 influential, national organizations – with very divergent political and ideological views – propose a mix of public and private initiatives that focus on how to provide much-needed health care to uninsured children and adults.*
“Children are our future. And it is our responsibility as adults to watch over them and make sure they are healthy – both physically and mentally. Rep. Emanuel’s draft legislation will help do just that.”
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*Editors’ note: Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured (HCCU) participating organizations include AARP, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Catholic Health Association, Families USA, Federation of American Hospitals, Healthcare Leadership Council, Johnson & Johnson, Kaiser Permanente, Pfizer Inc., United Health Foundation and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For more information, go to the press release section of the online press room.
Note to journalists: To interview Dr. Kellerman, please contact Leslie Champlin at (800) 274-2237, Ext. 5224, or by e-mail at lchampli@aafp.org.
AAFP Statement: American Academy of Family Physicians Supports Health Care Legislation for Uninsured Children Proposed by Rep. Rahm Emanuel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 16, 2007
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 110,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest 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 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.
