Washington, D.C.—The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the American College of Physicians (ACP), the Association for Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG), the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH), Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (NSRH), and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's proposed rule restricting qualified providers from federally-funded programs:
Organizations representing over 300,000 women and children's health providers oppose all efforts to exclude qualified women's health service providers and limit health care information through the Title X program.
Politicians have no role in picking and choosing among qualified providers. Title X is the only federal program exclusively dedicated to providing low-income and adolescent patients with access to essential family planning and preventive health services and information. Under this proposed rule, more than 40 percent of Title X patients are at risk of losing access to critical primary and preventive care services. Further, patients served by Title X will lose access to meaningful health information. The proposed rule dangerously intrudes on the patient-provider relationship.
Restricting access to care and information will increase rates of unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and undiagnosed medical conditions. It will reverse decades of progress that have brought our nation to a 30-year low for unplanned pregnancy and record low teen pregnancy rates. These public health victories are due in large part to the good work of the Title X program and qualified providers who offer high-quality patient care. The administration should advance policies that continue this positive trend, not undermine it.
Policy decisions about women's health must be firmly rooted in science, and increase access to safe, effective and timely care. Together we strongly urge the administration to put patients first and withdraw this proposed rule without delay. Our organizations will submit comments to further highlight the dangerous negative impact of women's health and the patient-provider relationship.
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About the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 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, ACOG 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. www.acog.org
About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 66,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds.
About the American College of Nurse-Midwives
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. With roots dating to 1929, ACNM sets the standard for excellence in midwifery education and practice in the United States and strengthens the capacity of midwives in developing countries. ACNM's members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. Visit www.midwife.org to learn more or follow ACNM on Twitter or Facebook.
About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 152,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on Twitter and Facebook.
About the Association for Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG)
The Association for Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) is the only professional association devoted exclusively to PAs practicing in women's health. Established in 1991, APAOG is the collective voice for professionals working to improve the health care of women. APAOG is a voluntary, nonprofit organization committed to improving women's health through advocating for patient autonomy through education and collaborative care, promoting clinical and academic excellence for APAOG members, and to assist and support PA's and the healthcare team by delivering the highest quality women's healthcare services. www.apaog.org
About the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) is a nonprofit, professional membership association representing more than 8,000 Women's Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNPs). Advanced practice registered nurses and other healthcare providers rely on NPWH for resources and education that improve women's health and wellness through evidence-based practice. NPWH pioneers policies to address gender disparities and forges strategic partnerships that advance health equity and holistic models of care. For more information, visit www.npwh.org
About Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health
Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (NSRH) provides students, nurses and midwives with education and resources to become skilled care providers and social change agents in sexual and reproductive health and justice. NSRH trains practicing and student nurses in both healthcare and organizing. We envision a world in which all people have access to just and dignified full-spectrum reproductive and sexual health care.
About the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Founded in 1968, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine is a multidisciplinary organization committed to improving the physical and psychosocial health and well-being of all adolescents through advocacy, clinical care, health promotion, health service delivery, professional development and research.