Why our AMA Supports Healthcare Reform

I think that we need to respond to the misperception, even deliberate propaganda, that our AMA is not informing its members regarding its position towards healthcare reform.
There are multiple resources readily available from our AMA.

* AMA Web Site: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/advocacy/health-system-reform.shtml
* AMA News: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/
* Health System Reform Bulletin: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/newsletters-journals/health-system-reform-bulletin.shtml

Also a recent article highlights the important issue why our AMA supports health system reform initiatives (http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/07/27/gvl10727.htm )

"The AMA is supporting the legislation partly on the strength of its Medicare payment reform plan, which would spend an estimated $245 billion over 10 years to align physician rates more closely with the costs of providing care. But the Association also backed the bill because it would use health insurance market reforms to cover most Americans, offer a choice of plans to consumers through a health insurance exchange, dedicate new money to boost primary care services and address physician work force problems."

Lets not forget that we also face major Medicare payment cuts and our AMA is proactively involved preventing these cuts.
For more information see http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/solutions-managing-your-practice/coding-billing-insurance/medicare/payment-action-kit-medicare.shtml

Lets not use our AMA as the piñata de jour! Lets stand together and focus on the task ahead. Divided we will fail!

Yours
Bernd
AMA - Outreach Recruiter