[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 234 Introduced in House (IH)]

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;
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 obstetrician-gynecologists 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 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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