FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020
Statement attributable to:
Ada D. Stewart, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians believes in a health care system in which all people have affordable health care coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of all Americans having timely access to primary care.
“The ACA has formed the foundation for a health care system that works toward this goal. In addition to ensuring that coverage is meaningful and includes important benefits such as full coverage for preventive services and elimination of annual and lifetime coverage maximums, it also includes important patient protections such as prohibitions on pre-existing conditions exclusions.
“With the current health crisis, there are projections that the number of Americans with pre-existing conditions will grow significantly as people suffer long-term effects of COVID-19. It is more important than ever that we ensure these protections and affordable access to coverage remain in place.
“The ACA has contributed to the forward progress of the health care system including recognizing the need to train a more robust primary care workforce through the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program and has encouraged innovation through the creation of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.
“As outlined in this amicus brief, the AAFP, along with other physician organizations, remains committed to building on what works in the health care system to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, quality medical care.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Stewart, contact Megan Moriarty, 913-302-8627, or mmoriarty@aafp.org.
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 136,700 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