ACOG Statement: Ob-Gyns Applaud U.S. Congress for Passing Zika Funding Package

Washington, DC—Thomas Gellhaus, M.D., President of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), released the following statement regarding the passage of a Zika funding package by the U.S. Congress:

"The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) applauds the U.S. Congress for last night's passage of a bipartisan, comprehensive Zika funding package. Congress has finally treated Zika like the emergency it is and shown the American people that it is capable of rising above partisanship for the health of its citizens.

"ACOG stands with peer organizations and government agencies in the fight to prevent and respond to the Zika virus and support the care and treatment of all people affected by it. Since earlier this year, ACOG has been insistent that Congress pass emergency funding to further Zika vaccine development, research and prevention.

"As the nation’s leading group of physicians providing health care for women, ACOG’s 57,000 members are on the front lines of counseling and treating women whose pregnancies are at risk of being affected by the Zika virus and its associated devastating birth defects. While ACOG is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide ob-gyns across the continental United States and US territories with the most up-to-date information, the frightening reality is that there are still more questions than answers. This uncertainty is particularly alarming for pregnant women and women of reproductive age who have been exposed to the virus, and women whose partners have been exposed.

"The fight against the spread of Zika cannot be won without the resources to support responsive and proactive solutions. This comprehensive funding package is essential to our success and the health of women and babies.

"We now look forward to the Continuing Resolution (CR), which includes the emergency funding to fight Zika, to head to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), a 501(c)(3) organization, is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of more than 57,000 members, The College strongly advocates for quality health care for women, maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members, promotes patient education, and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women’s health care. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a 501(c)(6) organization, is its companion organization. www.acog.org