IV

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 234

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated as primary care providers for women

in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AUGUST 3, 1993

Ms. SNOWE (for herself, Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut, Mr. PORTER, Mrs.

LOWEY, Mr. GINGRICH and Mr. SLATTERY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that

obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating

to the provision of health care.

Whereas women constitute more than 50 percent of the population of the United States;

Whereas, because women’s health historically has received little attention in terms of Federal funding and in terms of

research priorities, there should be an increased emphasis

on the needs and preferences of women in such areas;

Whereas the Federal Government should increase its support

for women’s health and can make a significant difference

in improving the status of women’s health;
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Whereas a majority of women view their obstetrician-gynecologist as their primary or sole physician;

Whereas approximately 70 percent of women would be unwilling to change their obstetrician-gynecologist to save

money;

Whereas an obstetrician-gynecologist improves the access to

health care of a woman by providing primary and preventive health care throughout the woman’s lifetime, encompassing care of the whole patient in addition to focusing

on the processes of the female reproductive system;

Whereas preventive and primary care provided by an obstetrician-gynecologist includes instruction in breast self-examination, cervical cancer screening, health education, instruction in health promotion, hypertension and cardiovascular surveillance, osteoporosis counseling, sexually

transmitted diseases counseling, and identification of victims of domestic violence;

Whereas the most effective ways to treat a health problem

are to prevent it from occurring or to catch it in the early

stages, when it is most treatable;

Whereas 60 percent of all office visits to obstetricians-gynecologists are for preventive care;

Whereas obstetrician-gynecologists refer their patients to

other physicians less frequently than other primary care

providers, thus avoiding costly and time-consuming referrals;

Whereas more than two-thirds of all visits to obstetriciangynecologists were by established patients of the physician who were returning for care of a medical condition;

Whereas obstetrician-gynecologists manage the health of

women beyond the reproductive system, and are uniquely
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qualified on the basis of education and experience to provide such health care services to women;

Whereas the obstetrician-gynecologists provide health care to

women with an awareness of the relationship of disease

to family history;

Whereas over two-thirds of general family practice physicians

do not deliver newborns and will not be able to address

this need of women; and

Whereas 80 percent of maternity care services in the United

States are provided by obstetrician-gynecologists: Now,

therefore be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that—

(1) obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated

as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care; and

(2) legislative proposals that define primary care

should include services performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in such definition.

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