• AAFP Praises Withdrawal of Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
    Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020

    Statement attributable to:
    Gary L. LeRoy, MD
    President
    American Academy of Family Physicians

    “The American Academy of Family Physicians applauds the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for responding to the concerns of physicians and other stakeholders by withdrawing the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation.

    “MFAR would have potentially led to reduced federal funding for state Medicaid programs at a time when states are already facing significant budget shortfalls. This would have led to cuts in Medicaid payment, negatively affecting access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries.

    “Adequate Medicaid funding is critical for ensuring family physicians have the resources to care for underserved populations and can accept new Medicaid patients as state Medicaid enrollment increases across the nation.

    “Medicaid plays a critical role in providing access to primary care and other essential health services for millions of Americans. The withdrawal of this regulation will help to ensure beneficiaries can continue to receive the care they need amid the COVID-19 public health emergency and beyond.”

    Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. LeRoy, contact Megan Moriarty, 800-274-2237, Ext. 6052, or mmoriarty@aafp.org.

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    Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 133,500 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest 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 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