The 2000s
2000
Through media outreach and member physician grassroots efforts, the AMA determinedly forged ahead with its advocacy for comprehensive Patients Bill of Rights legislation in Congress
The AMA, along with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, co-hosted the 11th annual World Conference on Tobacco or Health. Delegates from more than 120 countries dedicated themselves to furthering the work of tobacco use prevention and control
The AMA Foundation announced the first stage of its health literacy campaign, "Partnership in Health Improving the Patient-Physician Relationship through Health Literacy"
The AMA' s National House Call advocacy campaign traveled from state to state to highlight important issues in health care during the 2000 presidential campaign
"Reducing Underage Drinking Through Coalitions (RUDC)," an AMA-managed project, brought together young people in an effort to teach advocacy skills to decrease underage drinking in communities
2001
Immediately following the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, the AMA quickly responded to the needs of the nation, providing the government with a list of 3,500 volunteer physicians who were ready and willing to assist in recovery efforts. The AMA proceeded to take unprecedented steps to educate America's patients and physicians through the Disaster Preparedness and Medical Response Web site.
The House of Delegates, the Association's democratic cornerstone, marked the one hundredth anniversary of its founding in 1901. Through the years, this assembly has consistently created the policy that has enabled the AMA to adhere to its mission of "promoting the art and science of medicine, and the betterment of public health
AMA advocacy efforts resulted in a major victory for medical student and residents in the passage into law of the Restored Earnings to Lift Individuals and Empower Families Act of 2001. The new law will help ease the crippling financial burden on students and residents who finance their own education through student loans
The AMA continued its grassroots efforts to advocate for solid Patient's Bill of Rights legislation in Congress, utilizing such programs as the AMA's National House Call to educate physicians, policymakers and the public
Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs drafted the Declaration of Professional Responsibility: Medicine's Social Contract with Humanity. The declaration adopted by the House of Delegates at the 2001 Interim Meeting, serves as a reaffirmation of professional standards by the world community of physicians
2002
The AMA, along with 11 other organizations which comprise the "Covering the Uninsured" initiative, launched a national awareness campaign aimed at publicizing the extent of the uninsured population in the United States
The Medical Student Section of the AMA officially kicked off its National Service Project entitled, "No Butts About It…Tobacco Stinks," which will focus on tobacco education and prevention in children
The AMA House of Delegates adopted a resolution submitted by the Council on Medical Education that set a limit on residency hours at 80 resident work hours per week in addition to setting restrictions on hours consecutively on call
The AMA played a key role in the Moran v. Rush Prudential HMO case, filing a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Debra Moran. The landmark decision by the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the rights of HMO patients to an independent review when health plans overrule the treatment recommended by the patient's physician
The AMA launched the AMA HIPAALink, an online educational tool designed to aid physicians in successful HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance. Provisions in the HIPAA legislation are meant to ensure confidentiality and all health care providers who transmit patient information electronically are required to comply
2003
After two years of intensive lobbying efforts by the AMA and specialty and state societies, Congress averts a 4.4 percent cut in Medicare physician payments
Leaders from more than 30 public health, state and specialty medical societies and organizations convene at the AMA Headquarters in Chicago for the Federation Task Force on Disparities in Healthcare
In March, the AMA holds the first annual National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. Formerly known as the National Leadership Conference, the event drew physicians, educators and students, as well as medical, state, and specialty society leaders interested in discussing the state of health care inAmerica.
2004
More than 180 physicians, medical students, public health workers, nutritionists and other health care professionals gather in Chicago for the first AMA National Summit on Obesity in Chicago. The participants identify ways that health care professionals can tackle the obesity epidemic in schools, communities, work sites and medical practices
The AMA launches AMA Member Connect, an ongoing initiative that gives members the unprecedented opportunity to provide input into the AMA's agenda and initiatives
2005
AMA spearheads effort with 129 other health care and patient groups which results in the passage and signing of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act
The AMA, along with the National Medical Association and National Hispanic Medical Association, announce the creation of the Commission to End Health Care Disparities. The Commission is comprised of leaders from the nation's largest physician organizations and more than 30 health-related groups, and whose mission is to educate physicians and health professionals about health care disparities
In response to the catastrophic tsunami that hit Southeast Asia, the AMA Medical Student Section develops the Tsunami Relief Project, to assist members who want to donate money, medical supplies, or volunteer their services
To facilitate quality care of those affected by Hurricane Katrina, the AMA participates in the KatrinaHealth.org prescription medication network by offering its Physician Masterfile to verify physicians' identity and credentials
2006
The AMA successfully advocates to halt a 5% cut in Medicare physician payments and secure funding to offset future cuts. One million physicians and patients contact Congress through the AMA Physician Grassroots Network to speak out about the cuts and the threat they posed to patient care.
The Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement reaches consensus on 151 quality measures by year's end. The AMA-convened group develops and promotes evidence-based criteria for physician performance evaluation.
Fortifying its anti-tobacco stance, the AMA HOD approves a resolution committing itself to meeting in smoke-free facilities and encourages its Federation members to do the same. The HOD strengthens existing policies on smoking in public places, in addition to calling for use of tobacco settlement funds for anti-smoking programs.
Addressing the implications of technology on the public health, the AMA calls for study of the behavioral and addictive effects of playing video games, as well as the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in humans.
AMA advocates for diversity and ending health care disparities through new policy addressing diversity in the physician workforce.
2007
Responding to a national crisis about the state of health and nutrition, the AMA speaks out about food labeling, sodium, obesity, and diabetes through resolutions in the House of Delegates, in addition to statements by AMA leadership, including President Ron Davis, MD, one-time Delegate from the American College of Preventive Medicine.
To promote emergency preparedness in the health sectors, the AMA co-sponsors initiatives with the Centers for Disease Control and the American Public Health Association. The AMA and CDC convene the Second Congress on Health System Readiness to improve community-level response to pandemic flu, while the joint AMA-APHA report, "Improving Health System Preparedness for Terrorism and Mass Casualty Events – Recommendations for Action," addresses large-scale response to and the effects of catastrophes.
The AMA launches the first phase of its "Voice for the Uninsured" Campaign, exposing the plight of Americans without health insurance, and promoting the AMA's proposal for covering the uninsured. The Campaign targets voters during the critical primary season leading up the 2008 presidential election.
The AMA House of Delegates unanimously votes for Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, to fill the post of President-Elect, the second woman ever elected to the position. Dr. Nielsen had previously filled several prominent roles within the AMA, including Speaker of the House of Delegates.
Addressing workforce shortages in primary care, the AMA resolves to investigate the factors that discourage physicians from choosing primary care over medical specialties.
