AAFP Issues Statement on Repeal of Affordable Care Act

LEAWOOD, Kan., July 19 -- The American Academy of Family Physicians issued the following statement:

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Representing more than half a million of America's frontline physicians, six major medical organizations--the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Psychiatric Association--oppose any Senate effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Following the recent announcement by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that the Senate will soon vote on such a measure, leaders from the six groups issued the following joint statement:

"Consistent with our steadfast opposition to any legislation that would leave our patients worse off, we oppose any effort by the U.S. Senate to repeal the ACA's Medicaid expansion, premium and cost-sharing subsidies, and other coverage and consumer protections. We support a bipartisan and transparent process to develop consensus on improvements to current law that would close gaps in coverage.

"A vote to repeal the ACA absent such consensus would further destabilize the health insurance marketplace, cause massive premium increases, and leave our patients without access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage. We instead urge Congress to start over and engage in a collaborative, bipartisan process to improve our nation's healthcare system, ensuring continued access to care for our patients, and leaving Medicaid protected, consistent with our joint principles (https://www.acponline.org/acp_policy/letters/joint_principles_priorities_coverage_benefits_consumer_protections_2017.pdf)(www.acponline.org).

"We look forward to working with elected officials in the days ahead to engage in a meaningful dialogue about how to best meet the needs of our patients in any health care reform legislation."