FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Statement attributable to:
Michael Munger, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“Americans will have access to essential primary care and preventive health services under the Primary Care Patient Protection Act of 2018, introduced this week by U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Illinois) and Elise Stefanik (R-New York). The American Academy of Family Physicians applauds the introduction of this bill. Requiring high-deductible health plans to include a set of primary care visits independent of cost for patients will bring necessary health services within the financial reach of millions of Americans.
“Research has shown that deductibles and copayments discourage people from getting the primary care they need. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 43 percent of insured patients said they delayed or skipped physician-recommended tests or treatment because of high associated costs. Another poll by the American College of Emergency Physicians found that 80 percent of respondents said they were treating insured patients who avoided or delayed medical care due to unaffordable out-of-pocket costs.
“Ensuring patients have access to a usual source of care, a family physician, and meaningful coverage will equate to better overall health at a lower cost. Being able to receive care in this setting will be less expensive for individuals and families than pursuing care at other sites, such as emergency rooms. This legislation removes a portion of the financial obstacle that may prevent people from pursuing primary care services when they are sick.
“The AAFP welcomes this legislation and urges Congress to act quickly on its passage.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Munger, contact Leslie Champlin, (800) 274-2237, Ext. 6252, or lchampli@aafp.org.
About the American Academy of Family Physicians
The AAFP is the largest national association of family physicians, representing 128,300 physicians and medical students. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on impactful care for people of all ages, races and genders across all medical conditions. The AAFP supports every stage of a family physician's career and provides evidence-based resources, advocacy and community to empower family medicine. To learn more, visit aafp.org. For information about health care, medical conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s patient education website, familydoctor.org.