FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Statement attributable to:
Gary L. LeRoy, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians is deeply disappointed that the Administration has eliminated important protections for our most vulnerable patients, including those who are transgender, those with limited English proficiency, those with disabilities, and those seeking access to reproductive health care.
“In our comment letter last August, the AAFP argued that rolling back gender discrimination protections would impede access to care and sanction discrimination against already vulnerable patient populations. This is an especially harmful course of action during the Administration's declared public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession. This unprecedented crisis makes it even more complicated for these individuals to secure necessary health care services and insurance coverage in a time of critical need.
“This proposed decision will prove harmful to patients and public health. The AAFP strongly urges the administration to withdraw this change in policy and instead work to ensure all patients have access to the quality care they need.”
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Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. LeRoy, contact Megan Moriarty, 913-302-8627, or mmoriarty@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.