Ob/Gyn Services Bill

I would hope that your paper would give some space to inform the public about an Assembly bill co-authored by Jackie Speier (D-Burlingame) and Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey) and pushed by women’s groups and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It was recently signed by Gov. Pete Wilson and will become law on Jan. 1.

This bill will free the women who are covered under certain HMOs to go to their obstetrician/gynecologist for all services. Previously, these HMOs directed all female patients go to the primary-care (“gatekeeper”) family-practice physician for women’s services, despite the fact that most women already had a relationship with an obstetrician/gynecologist, most often of many years duration.

As of Jan. 1, all women in all HMOs will be able to designate their obstetrician/gynecologist as their primary care provider if they so desire. This bill is seen as a victory by women’s groups and by gynecologists in righting a restrictive policy that forced women to seek personal services from someone they didn’t know or want to see, or in many cases cost the patient extra since they were obligated to pay for uncovered services.

Of course, women can still go to their family practitioner for gynecological services if they desire.

MICHAEL L. FRIEDMAN MD

Torrance