Congress has before it legislation to extend the primary care bump program into the future and expand it to include ObGyns and other women’s health clinicians. A proposal to that effect was introduced in the Senate by Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and in the House by Reps. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Henry Waxman (D-CA).
At press time, ACOG was doing everything in its power to get this legislation passed in the lame duck session of Congress. We scored a big win at the November assembly of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, when, with the support of the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) and the American College of Physicians, the House of Delegates overwhelmingly approved AMA policy to support extension of the program, including broadening it to include ObGyns.
ACOG also has enlisted the support of national women’s advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood, the National Partnership for Families and Children, and the National Women’s Law Center. ACOG President Jennings led 35 ACOG leaders from across the country to Washington, DC, in November 2014, to urge members of Congress to pass this important legislation. They were joined by Thomas McInerney, MD, immediate past president of the AAP, and a number of leaders from Planned Parenthood.
Our message to Congress is clear: Not without women!
Share your thoughts on this article! Send your Letter to the Editor to rbarbieri@frontlinemedcom.com. Please include your name and the city and state in which you practice.
