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ACS Views on Legislative, Regulatory, and Other IssuesAccess to Health Insurance—staff contact: Christian Shalgian, christian_shalgian@facs.org
November 30, 1999 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Washington, DC—The American College of Surgeons (ACS) believes that the number of individuals without health insurance has reached epidemic proportions and that a cure is desperately needed. As a result, the ACS supports the position of the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM) that people without health insurance are more likely than insured individuals to experience adverse health outcomes. The ACS commends ACP-ASIM for the work it has done to illustrate this critical problem and calls for renewed effort to develop workable solutions. In commenting on this issue, ACS President James C. Thompson, MD, FACS, said: "The startling difference in access to health care between the insured and the uninsured in this country is one of the greatest problems faced by our society. In our current state of economic well-being, common sense would suggest that solutions should be available." The American College of Surgeons understands the complexity of the issue and the difficulties that have confounded efforts to develop workable solutions. However, the report issued today by ACP-ASIM demonstrates that inadequate coverage is having a detrimental impact on the health of an increasing number of Americans and so should be made a top legislative priority of our elected officials. The College looks forward to working with all interested parties in an attempt to develop practical solutions. The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. ACS Views on Legislative, Regulatory, and Other Issues
by the American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL 60611-3211 |