On January 15, 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) was referenced on the ABC television news
magazine 20/20 in a segment on male circumcision. The
ABC News Correspondent, Dr. Timothy Johnson,
interviewed several physicians, parents, and others on
the pros and cons of circumcision to help TV viewers
determine for themselves if the issue is right for
their male infants.

As part of this segment, Dr. Timothy Johnson referenced
an upcoming AAP policy statement on male circumcision,
which is scheduled to be published in the March issue
of Pediatrics and released to the media on March 1st
at 5 pm (ET). Please be aware that this policy will be
an analysis of more than 30 years of medical literature
on male circumcision and may raise questions about the
pros and cons of circumcision and insurance coverage
questions. Additional information will be available on
the AAP Members Only Channel, via listservs such as
this one and in AAP News. The AAP Web site also has
the most current Academy information, including issues
pertaining to coverage for the surgical procedure in
the policy statement entitled "Scope of Health Care
Benefits for Newborns, Infants, Children, Adolescents,
and Young Adults Through Age 21 Years".

We at the Academy understand that there may be many
questions from parents about this issue following a
national television program such as 20/20. Parents can
contact the AAP Web site (http://www.aap.org) for the
latest policy information, and the Academy plans to
offer a new brochure for parents in March to help them
weigh the pros and cons of circumcision for their
infants.