[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E401-E402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   DESIGNATING OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGISTS AS PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS

                                 ______


                        HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 22, 1995
  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support legislation that would designate ob-gyns as primary care 
physicians in future Federal legislation. I introduced legislation, 
House Resolution 30, with Representative Larry Combest that would 
express the sense of Congress that we provide this basic assurance to 
America's mothers, daughters, and sisters.
  In 1990, almost 60 percent of women's visits for general medical 
examinations were to 
 [[Page E402]] ob-gyns--more than the visits to general practitioners 
and internists combined. We should protect a women's choice to continue 
to see her ob-gyn in any future health reform legislation. Women should 
not be required to go through a gatekeeper or overcome any other 
obstacle to see their ob-gyn.
  I offered a unanimous approved amendment in the Ways and Means 
Committee last year to designate ob-gyns as primary care physicians, 
although the legislation it amended was never considered on the House 
floor. House Resolution 30, which has the same goal, now has the 
bipartisan support of 115 Members of Congress. I urge my colleagues to 
join with us in expressing our support for designating ob-gyns as 
primary care physicians.


                          ____________________