ACOG Urges Trump Administration Not to Turn Back the Clock on Women’s Health

Washington, DC—In light of a recently leaked interim final rule by the Department of Health and Human Services that will limit contraception access, Haywood L. Brown, M.D., president of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released the following statement:

“ACOG, the nation’s largest professional organization for women’s health care physicians, denounces the interim final rule currently under review at the Office of Management and Budget. According to the leaked document, the Trump Administration is preparing to wipe away landmark protections for America’s women and families by rolling back no-copay contraceptive coverage. ACOG stands firm in opposition to this extremely regrettable decision to turn back the clock on women’s health. This Administration should focus on improving access to quality health care for women and for all Americans. This new rule does the opposite.

“Contraception is an integral part of preventive care and a medical necessity for women during approximately 30 years of their lives. Access to contraception allows women to achieve, lead and reach their full potentials, becoming key drivers of our Nation’s economic success.

“Since the Affordable Care Act increased access to contraceptives, our Nation has achieved a 30 year low in its unintended pregnancy rate, including among teens. Any move to decrease access to these vital services would have damaging effects on public health. Unintended pregnancies can have serious health consequences for women and lead to poor neonatal outcomes. Women, families and our Nation all benefit from seamless, affordable access to contraception. This Administration’s action wipes away women’s access to care, putting women in all insurance plans at risk of losing coverage they have today.

“This move, coupled with Congressional efforts to eliminate maternity care coverage and protections for individuals with preexisting conditions, shows a deep disregard for women’s health.

“All women, like all men, deserve the ability to make personal health care decisions without intrusion from bosses or the government. We are disappointed that the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly under the leadership of a physician, has chosen politics over the best interest of patients.”

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 58,000 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