In this statement, AOA President Mark A. Baker, DO, expresses the AOA's concern that the bills that have been considered so far would jeopardize patients' ability to access care.
CHICAGO—July 26, 2017—AOA President Mark A. Baker, DO, issued the following statement in response to the Senate's ongoing efforts to reform or repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA):
"The American Osteopathic Association unequivocally believes that the primary focus of any health care reform policy should be to provide and increase access to comprehensive, affordable coverage and care. So far, the bills considered greatly jeopardized our patients’ ability to access the care they need and deserve so that they may live longer, healthier lives.
The AOA, a physician-led association advocating for nearly 130,000 DOs and osteopathic medical students, recognizes the many challenges our current health care system faces and is supportive of efforts to improve it. In this vein, we continue to offer our assistance in developing policies to advance our health care system in a bipartisan, transparent process that will ensure a high-quality, patient-centered, and cost-efficient health care system that meets the needs of our patients."
About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 129,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; and is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools. Visit DoctorsThatDO.org to learn more about osteopathic medicine.