ACOG: Senate Vote to Proceed Endangers Patients

Washington, DC—Haywood L. Brown, M.D., president of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), released the following statement in response to the Senate’s vote to proceed on health care legislation:

“The U.S. Senate is playing a very dangerous game with the health care of millions of Americans. Today’s vote to proceed sets our nation on a path that endangers our patients, and cripples the health care delivery system. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) opposes both the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) and repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would leave millions without health care coverage.

“The Senate has lost sight of the goal of health reform: guaranteeing patients continued and improved access to safe, affordable, quality care. Senators who support this process at any stage have turned their backs on our patients to score cheap political points.

“No last-minute amendments or backroom deals will fix the BCRA, and repealing the ACA would be even more catastrophic.

“Every U.S. Senator must vote NO on these harmful measures and work with ob-gyns and other physicians on practical, nonpartisan solutions to reducing health care costs and improving our health care system. No American should lose the coverage they have today. Senators, don’t turn back the clock on women’s health.”

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