Comments on: AMA’s democracy in action at this defining moment in the history of medicine

By: ninguem

ninguem — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:28:07 +0000

Steven Wynn “……Where did all of these AMA members come from?…..”

Medical students. Fewer and fewer real-live practicing physicians every year.

By: R Watkins

R Watkins — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:34:22 +0000

The AMA, with its specialist dominated RUV committee, has been one of the major causes of the death of primary care in this country. It is very discouraging to see Dr. Heim jump to the defense of an organization that is so hostile to the doctors that she represents.

By: ninguem

ninguem — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:06:31 +0000

Neil Brooks, MD “…..AMA delegates are elected by the constituent medical societies…….”

Who does the electing there Neil? Having belonged to State medical associations, I have not once been asked to vote for an AMA delegate.

By: Lori Heim, M.D.

Lori Heim, M.D. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:20:02 +0000

Leadership of the American Academy of Family Physicians attended the AMA House of Delegates meeting and offered a resolution commending the AMA for its strong advocacy of health system reform. Others in the HOD had a different perspective and challenged AMA leaders on their decision to support HR 3962 and send a letter to Congress saying so. Following passionate debate, the House of Delegates soundly DEFEATED two important motions — one to oppose the public option and one to oppose the House bill. What this represented was an understanding by the HOD that if the AMA didn’t continue in the discussion the physician voice would be lost and they would give up their political capital. The AMA leadership has shown political understanding of the cost if we silence our voice and how best to use that voice. So the AMA emerged from the meeting with a reaffirmaation of support for health system reform and can continue to engage with Congress in a constructive advocacy role on behalf of patients and physicians. The AAFP commends the AMA for continuing to advocate for health system reform legislation before the Congress on behalf of patients and physicians.
Lori Heim, M.D.
President
American Academy of Family Physicians

By: Paul MD

Paul MD — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:05:30 +0000

I attend my state’s medical society executive committee meetings as the representative from my specialty society. There is a definite air of liberalism and kumbya at the “great oval table” that I am not in agreement with. Last week, our AMA delegate and alternate described the difference between the AMA’s current position on the Pelosi bill (approval) vs the more heavily weighted position that can be ascribed (endorsement). We are told to wait patiently as the “approval” gets the AMA a seat at the table in further bill modifications that the AMA would have been shut out of had a vote of “not approval” been the result. Sure.

Long story short, my state medical society has done some positive things for physicians in my state and for my specialty society as well. I do not, however, feel that on a national level that they nor our AMA delegates are serving the interests of a large portion of the folks that are paying to be members of our state medical society and the AMA. Where is the advocacy for MY concerns and the concerns of other dues paying members of my specialty society?

The defeatist language that precedes all of the bobbleheads at the “great oval table” explanations always starts with….”its going to happen anyway….this ensures us a seat at the table”. It is this weakness and consistent namby pamby approach to the best interests of ITS MEMBERS that has resulted in this weak defensive position, hoping for scraps like SGR and Tort reform to fall from the political table.

I am only one man, but I am not alone in my less than stellar approval rating of my AMA.

I am not going to renew my membership in the AMA after some 17 years as a member and will instead take the sizable amounts and donate them to my current PAC funds of my specialty society in order to best serve MY interests. In so doing, I hope to benefit, patients will benefit and hopefully government and insurance interests may be further marginalized. This will not be done out of anger or rash decision making. It is merely strategy because money and power are the best weapons against the political agendas of those with whom I and many others disagree.

To the rest of you, you should be careful what it is that you are wishing for as it seems you (and I) just may get it.

And Phil, sorry pal. You and I and anyone with half a brain know that your debt is for you to enjoy. So eat up. Remember that the next time a demanding surly cross armed patient eyeballs you and angrily tells you about “their right” to your services.
I can guarantee you that the thoughts of “Kumbya” will not remotely enter your mind.

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:47:59 +0000

As a resident, I have only one question. Will this help me pay my loans?

By: Keili Meyer

Keili Meyer — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:18:24 +0000

As a medical student and AMA member who was also in attendance at the recent AMA HOD meeting, I will second the sentiments of Mr. Arora and say that I am proud to be part of a dynamic organization that is striving to do what is best for America’s patients and America’s physicians. To those who doubt the will of the AMA, I must ask if you have ever attended an AMA meeting? Have you ever seen the HOD in action and watched (or even better yet, PARTICIPATED in) the process that allows all voices to be heard? Standing on the sidelines as ONE voice who complains will accomplish nothing. Become a member, come to a meeting and then take your stand at the microphone and attempt to change what you think is wrong with health system reform efforts or any other issue facing American medicine today. If you disagree with the path the AMA is taking, speak up from within the organization. Several years ago, the medical student section did just this and bought forth the Cover the Uninsured campaign of the AMA. In response to our voices, the AMA responded and the organization is better because of it. As states the motto of the AMA, Together we are Stronger, and it is only as a united front that our voices will be heard.

By: G.V.Morin. MD

G.V.Morin. MD — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:42:39 +0000

Has everyone read and understood the multiple pages of the bill?
Support for tort reform, quality care for our patients, and fair access for all patients with affordable care with no punitive actions should be a no compromise stance for the AMA.
Aren’t these worth fighting for? Now is the time, not after the fact when politicians haveade the choices for us

By: Doc99

Doc99 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:24:59 +0000

So, Dr. Rohack, I now see that moveon.org is petitioning the AMA to leave the US Chamber of Commerce because the AMA “endorses” HR 3962 while the Chamber does not. This would be a good time for the BOT to show America the difference between support and endorsement. What say you?

By: throckmorton

throckmorton — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:47:31 +0000

The AMA likes to say that it is at the center of American Medicine, but at last count it had as its membership less than 15% of US physicians and that number has dropped even more in the last year. At present the AMA represents a group of physicians who may or may not represent the views of physicians in general. Many of us, myself included feel the AMA has essentially sold out for political interests rather than those of physicians and patients. As a result, we have voted by not joining or resigning our membership in the AMA.