ACEP Statement on Future Health Care Legislation

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to last night's vote in the U.S. Senate, which failed to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the president of the American College of Emergency Physicians Becky Parker, MD, FACEP, released the following statement:

"We have expressed concerns throughout this process regarding the devastating impact some of the repeal proposals under consideration could have had. Looking ahead, we now urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to work together to address the serious problems that still exist involving the health insurance market. These solutions must include appropriate protections for the tens of millions of emergency medical patients that go to emergency departments each year.

"Guaranteed coverage for emergency medical care must continue to be protected by federal law. Patients should be able to seek and receive emergency care when and where it is needed, without fear that their insurance company will not cover it. In addition, when patients have insurance plans with unreasonably high deductibles, they often delay medical care until the problem becomes a life-threatening emergency.

"Policymakers, lawmakers, business leaders, physicians and health care experts must work together to help improve a health care system that benefits every American."

ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.

Media Contact: Mike Baldyga
202-370-9288
mbaldyga@acep.org
www.acep.org