The following is a
statement from Henry L. Dorkin, MD, FAAP, President of the Massachusetts
Medical Society, regarding efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act:
“This morning's vote
(a demonstration of due democratic process) against a so-called
‘skinny’ repeal of the Affordable Care Act helps protect the health care
of millions of America’s patients. From coast to coast, including here in the
Commonwealth, Americans have voiced their concern about, and opposition
to, outright repeal of the ACA. We are grateful to the majority of U.S.
Senators, including Senator Ed Markey and Senator Elizabeth Warren, who
demonstrated their commitment to fighting on behalf of their constituents'
access to health care. We also thank Senators Collins, Murkowski and
McCain and applaud their efforts to keep any Americans from losing their health
care access.
“It is long-standing
policy of the Massachusetts Medical Society that we advocate for universal access
to insurance coverage. None of the legislative options presented in recent
months – neither straightforward repeal, repeal-and-replace nor this
‘skinny’ repeal – would have advanced the mission of promoting reliable,
affordable, effective insurance coverage for our patients. A health care bill
should actually improve the health of Americans, not worsen it.
“Once again, we urge
Congress to join representatives of the medical community in collaborating on legislation that would improve, strengthen
and sustain the Affordable Care Act, which has extended health coverage to
record numbers of Americans. Now is the time to abandon efforts at repeal and
instead focus on how to make the ACA work even better for more of our neighbors
and patients.”
