Family Physicians Share Health Care Priorities with President-elect Biden
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020
Statement attributable to:
Ada D. Stewart, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians congratulates President-elect Biden and looks forward to working closely with his administration to ensure all people in America have access to high-quality health care.
“Family physicians are uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive care for the entire family – from birth through end-of-life. We are on the front lines of health care in the United States, advocating on behalf of our patients and educating our communities about the importance of comprehensive, continuous and coordinated primary care. One in five office visits are conducted by family physicians, with 195 million visits to family physicians annually.
“Amid a global pandemic that is testing the strength and vitality of our nation’s health care system, the AAFP is ready to partner with the Biden administration and the 117th Congress to advance priorities that will improve the health and lives of all Americans.
“These priorities include providing access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans, strengthening our primary care workforce, addressing systemic racism and promoting health equity, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of delivering health care, and modernizing the current regulatory framework to integrate telehealth as part of a coordinated health care ecosystem.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Stewart, contact Megan Moriarty, 800-274-2237, Ext. 6052, or mmoriarty@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.