America’s family physicians are increasing charity care, discounting fees and providing free screenings to help patients meet their health care needs during economically stressful times. That’s one of the findings of an American Academy of Family Physicians survey, which confirms the negative and potentially serious impact the recession is having on Americans’ access to health care. The national poll of AAFP members shows that nearly 90 percent of the family physicians surveyed reported their “patients have expressed concerns recently over their ability to pay for their health care needs.”