ACOG Urges Senate to Reject the Better Care Reconciliation Act

Washington, DC—Haywood Brown, M.D., President of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released the following statement regarding the proposed U.S. Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation Act:

“ACOG is deeply disappointed by the Senate’s proposed Better Care Reconciliation Act. This legislation deliberately strips the landmark women’s health gains made by the Affordable Care Act and would severely limit access to care. If enacted, this legislation will turn back the clock on women’s health.

“We are disturbed by the secretive method in which this bill was crafted, and by the Senate’s exclusion of clinical and expert opinion from ACOG and other peer medical and health organizations. Despite numerous efforts to collaborate and provide input throughout this process, women’s health expertise was rejected. It is reckless for legislation that will have such an immense impact on Americans’ lives and the economy to proceed without opportunity for public hearings or any external commentary.

“The Better Care Reconciliation Act would not offer Americans more health care options. Instead, millions would lose insurance coverage altogether, women would be denied access to the provider of their choice, and many would face skyrocketing premium costs. Hardworking women and families would return to the days when having a child or facing a devastating diagnosis could mean bankruptcy."

ACOG firmly believes that no new health care proposal should cost Americans the coverage they have today. We urge the Senate to reject the Better Care Reconciliation Act and begin anew. We stand ready, as always, to partner with the House and Senate on reforms to our health care system that will improve our nation’s health and reduce health care costs.”

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