Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Makes Significant Investments to Address Health Inequities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 15, 2021
Statement attributable to:
Sterling N. Ransone, Jr., MD, FAAFP
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians is pleased to see the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes several provisions that will address social determinants of health that contribute to health inequities, signed into law today.
“The AAFP applauds Congress for the bipartisan work to develop and pass this historic legislation, which provides vital support for improvements in broadband infrastructure. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of broadband for access to primary care, mental and behavioral health care, education, employment, and public health information. Further, without broadband, many rural, tribal, and urban areas lack critical resources, and physicians face greater difficulty serving these communities, exacerbating existing health disparities.
“Additionally, we are pleased to see the final bill improves funding to improve access to safe drinking water and dedicated funding to address past pollution that harms public health. These federal investments will strengthen our country’s infrastructure, make our communities safer, and help address some of the root causes of health inequities.
“The AAFP stands ready to work with the Biden administration and Congress to further advance health equity.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Ransone, contact Julie Hirschhorn, 202-655-4949, or jhirschhorn@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.