ACP expresses support for key policies of Affordable Health Care for America Act

In letter to House leaders, American College of Physicians notes support for: Coverage; primary care, prevention and wellness; and delivery and payment system reforms

Washington, November 2, 2009 – The American College of Physicians (ACP) today sent a letter to House leaders voicing the College's support for key policies in the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

"We are pleased that H.R. 3962 will expand health insurance coverage to 96% of all legal residents in the United States; promote the value and importance of primary care, prevention and wellness; and reform payment and delivery systems to achieve better value for patients, defined as the best care delivered as efficiently as possible," Joseph W. Stubbs, MD, FACP, president of ACP said in the letter.

ACP then provided specific policies it supported in the bill. There are some seven policies noted in the coverage area, while four policies drew particular note under primary care, prevention and wellness. Support for eight policies was noted in the reform of delivery and payment systems area.

Of particular importance to the ACP is the emphasis on improving access to primary care, prevention and wellness. Dr. Stubbs noted that H.R. 3962 will invest $57 billion to increase Medicaid payments to primary care physicians so that they are no less than the comparable Medicare rates. "Without such steps to bring Medicaid payments up to par with other payers, the tens of millions of persons who will be added to the Medicaid program will find it increasingly difficult to find a primary care physician who is accepting additional Medicaid patients, " Dr. Stubbs wrote. He also expressed ACP's support for an investment of $4.7 billion to fund an increase in Medicare payments for evaluation and management services provided by primary physicians, expansion of primary care training programs, and funding for two Medicare and one Medicaid pilots of the Patient-Centered Medical Home.