FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Statement attributable to:
Sterling N. Ransone, Jr., MD, FAAFP
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians is disappointed that the Senate has again failed to protect access to evidence-based health care for women. The Women’s Health Protection Act would have codified federal protection of access to comprehensive health care—including reproductive health care—by prohibiting inappropriate restrictions on abortion and ensuring the ability of patients to receive this care, free from governmental intrusion.
“It is critical that we work together to strike down laws that enable governmental interference in the confidential relationship between patient and physician, including those related to criminalizing evidence-based medical care. Additionally, a ruling to reverse Roe v. Wade would make patients’ access to reproductive health subject to varying state laws – resulting in unequal access to care in different parts of the country. This will ultimately exacerbate health inequities and lead to worse health outcomes.
“Open, honest and confidential communication between the patient and physician is a cornerstone of family medicine and is essential to the provision of safe and high-quality medical care. Federal law should protect patients’ ability to seek and clinicians’ ability to provide timely, evidence-based care and protect both from discrimination and retaliation.
“The Academy continues to advocate for everyone’s right to health care and to protect our family physicians and the patients they serve. Patients must be free to make their own medical decisions, and reproductive health is no exception.”
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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.