On March 20, 2017, the American Academy of Family Physicians sent a letter to the bipartisan leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives announcing formal opposition to the American Health Care Act (AHCA). At the current time, the AAFP is unable to support this approach to reform because of substantial concerns about the impact these policies would have on millions of people.
As part of an AAFP letter sent on December 28, 2016, the AAFP outlined priorities and policies to these same lawmakers. That letter acknowledged that current laws needed some modifications and there were adjustments that needed to be made to ensure that all Americans have affordable health care coverage. But the AAFP also remains committed to ensuring that individuals with health care coverage are able to access their primary care physicians and it recognizes that the prevalence of high-deductible health plans is making that more challenging.
Over the past month, the AAFP has sent multiple letters to House committees outlining policy priorities and urging modifications to the AHCA. The AAFP has also engaged in numerous meetings with Members of Congress and their staff advancing the AAFP’s policy priorities and working to modify the AHCA to address its policy concerns.
At this point, the AAFP has determined that the AHCA legislation does not reflect AAFP policies. The AAFP is concerned that the legislation would have a negative impact on individuals and families, destabilize insurance markets, and inflict significant harm on the Medicaid program. For these reasons, the AAFP opposes the AHCA and will continue its efforts to influence and change this legislation moving forward. The AAFP’s opposition is in response to the House bill – not reform in general.