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.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 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 and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.