For Immediate Release
June 28, 2006

AOA Joins Call for Transparency and
Consumer Education in Health Care

All quotes are attributable to George Thomas, D.O., immediate past president of the AOA

(Washington, DC) – The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is proud to join Representative John Sullivan (R-OK), Gene Green (D-TX) and other members of the Coalition for Health Care Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency (CHART) in supporting the "Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2006." This legislation promotes truth in health care advertising, thereby aiding all Americans in becoming better consumers of health care.

Given the complexity of health care today, we need to make it easier for patients to make informed decisions about who performs medical procedures on them and their families. Far too many patients are unaware that the individual providing their health care may not be a physician. By ensuring that patients have more information, the consumer is empowered to make decisions that are best for them or their family. Providing quality health care is the goal of all osteopathic physicians. To this end, the AOA supports initiatives that aim to enhance the ability of physicians and other health care providers to improve upon the quality of care provided.

We do not seek to prohibit the delivery of services by individuals who are not physicians (osteopathic or allopathic) or dentists. However, there are stark differences in education and training between physicians and other health care providers. The AOA supports a health care system where all health care providers fulfill a role in providing quality health care to patients. The “Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act” does not prevent non-physician health care professionals from providing necessary services to patients; it simply prevents them from portraying their education, training and services as equivalent to those of a physician.

We call upon Congress to protect the interests of the public by providing the means for them to make informed decisions as consumers. Informed choice about healthcare providers should be at the top of any Congressional consumer education priority list. There is no consumer report or buying guide for healthcare choices or medical professionals, but Congress can make it easier for the public by guaranteeing informed choice free from misleading and deceptive acts.

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s), like allopathic physicians (M.D.s) are fully qualified physicians licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication. All 50 states recognize D.O.s and M.D.s for the unlimited practice of medicine based on the same requirements for licensure.

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The American Osteopathic Association proudly represents over 56,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) practicing in 31 specialties and subspecialties, promotes public health, encourages scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s and is the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical schools and health care facilities.

Contact:
Leann Fox
Director of Federal Advocacy
(800) 962-9008, ext. 225
lfox@osteopathic.org