AAFP Supports Managed Care Reform Bills; Says Patient Care Remains a Priority
Contact: Maureen Maxwell of the American Academy of
Family Physicians, 888-794-7481
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The 88,000-member American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) today announced its support for two major managed care reform bills that are likely to be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this fall: H.R. 2723, The Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act of 1999, introduced by Reps. Charles Norwood (R-Ga.) and John D. Dingell (D-Mich.); and for Health Care Quality and Choice Act of 1999, to be introduced by Reps. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) when Congress reconvenes in September.
"Both bills go a long way to address the patient protections that are needed in today's health care system," said Lanny R. Copeland, M.D., president of the AAFP. "We are very appreciative of the work of the authors of these two bills and of their willingness to listen to our concerns."
Both bills contain provisions that will allow patients to get the best healthcare and physicians to provide it:
-- All plans: Patient protections apply to all health plans, not just ERISA plans.
-- Gag clauses: Both bills would prohibit contract provisions between physicians and health plans that restrict or prevent medical communication between physicians and their patients.
-- Patient advocacy: Both bills contain some protections for physicians who advocate on behalf of a patient within a health plan or before an external review panel.
-- External review: Both bills would establish external review mechanisms independent of health plans.
-- Medical necessity: Such external review processes would not be bound by the health plans' definition of medical necessity.
-- Liability: Both bills permit patients to sue in state court.
-- Women's health care: The Coburn/Shadegg legislation would include family physicians among those designated as qualified women's health providers. H.R. 2723 would not preclude patients from going to family physicians for their women's health needs.
-- Children's health care: The Coburn/Shadegg legislation includes family physicians among those designated as qualified primary care physicians for children. H.R. 2723 would not preclude patients from going to family physicians for their children's health needs
"These legislators are being responsive to patients and to the public good," said Copeland. "We urge the House of Representatives to expeditiously pass legislation reflecting these principles."
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Founded in 1947, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) represents more than 88,000 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students nationwide. Family physicians are medical specialists trained to treat the medical problems of patients of all ages and both sexes.
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