The 1980s
1980
AMA establishes the Medical Student Section
AMA launches the French edition of JAMA, the first of 28 international editions of the Journal established between 1980 and 1996
AMA holds first Health Reporting Conference
AMA Council on Medical Service issues a report on the impact of health maintenance organizations on quality, access and costs of care
James S. Todd, MD eloquently defends his ad hoc committee's new Principles of Medical Ethics at the Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates. This new version of the Principles addressed changing ethical issues in the field of medicine
1981
AMA holds first annual Science Reporters Conference
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education replaces Liaison Committee on Graduate Medical Education
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education replaces Liaison Committee on Continuing Medical Education
AMA recommends that current studies on the effects of "Agent Orange" and dioxin be expanded and that all physicians be alerted to symptoms of exposure
1982
AMA encourages each state medical society to seek and support legislation to raise the legal drinking age to 21
AMA Consumer Publishing program begins with the publication of the first edition of AMA Family Medical Guide, by Random House
AMA initiates the Health Policy Agenda for the American People, with a 28-member steering committee representing various health, business and consumer organizations
AMA adopts resolution calling for increased representation among women and minority physicians
American Medical Radio News begins
1983
AMA organizes Hospital Medical Staff Section, later renamed Organized Medical Staff Section
AMA urges a smoke-free society by the year 2000
AMA membership exceeds 250,000
AMA and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) sign an agreement requiring the use of CPT in federal programs for the reporting of physicians' services, as part of the administration's common procedural coding system (HCPCS). Subsequently, HCFA in 1986 extended the requirement to state medical agencies using the Medicaid Management Information System
1984
AMA provides diagnostic and treatment guidelines for cases involving child abuse and neglect
1985
Judicial Council becomes Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs
AMA encourages continuing research and studies concerning AIDS
AMA requests adequate government funding for research on AIDS
AMA calls for ban on all tobacco advertising and supports passage of legislation prohibiting smoking on public transportation
1986
AMA passes resolution opposing acts of discrimination against AIDS patients and any legislation that would lead to such categorical discrimination or that would involve patient-physician confidentiality
AMA Board of Trustees establishes the Medical School Visitation Program
AMA establishes an initiative to improve adolescent health
AMA publicizes and recommends the incorporation of CPR classes in secondary schools
AMA establishes the Young Physicians Section
AMA provides professional guidelines relating to a physician's personal, clinical and public conduct relating to AIDS
AMA adopts policy prohibiting investment of AMA funds in tobacco stocks and urging medical schools and parent universities to eliminate investments in corporations that produce or promote use of tobacco
1987
AMA outlines a comprehensive approach for the prevention and control of AIDS and adopts an AIDS public awareness and information program
AMA establishes Department of Adolescent Health
AMA urges physicians to refer women for mammograms
In School Board of Nassau County v. Gene H. Arlene, US Supreme Court rules that individuals with infectious diseases are considered "handicapped" under anti-discrimination laws, protecting their employment under certain circumstances, as outlined in a friend-of-the-court brief provided by the AMA
AMA helps initiate the Surgeon General's workshop on Self-care and Public Health
AMA urges residency programs to revise requirements to reduce stress and fatigue caused by long hours and to increase supervision of residents
The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals becomes the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
1988
AMA launches the Chinese edition of the Archives of Ophthalmology, the first of 19 international editions of AMA specialty journals established between 1988 and 1996
AMA publishes and disseminates 420,000 copies of HIV Blood Test Counseling: AMA Physician Guidelines
AMA establishes Office of HIV/AIDS
AMA establishes Department of Geriatric Health
AMA works with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to establish the International Medical Scholars Program to assist foreign physicians to gain access to educational opportunities in the United States
1989
AMA develops National HIV Policy reiterating physicians' ethical responsibilities to treat HIV patients whose condition is within the physicians' realm of competence
AMA recommends confidential HIV testing be readily available to all who wish to be tested
AMA establishes the JAMA Journal Club, as a means of earning credit toward the Physician's Recognition Award for continuing education completed
AMA files brief on behalf of Cruzan family in US Supreme Court case Cruzan v. Missouri Department of Health; AMA holds that the guardian has a right to refuse medical treatment for a patient in a persistent vegetative state Court later rules that states have the right to regulate food withdrawal
AMA Encyclopedia of Medicine is published by Random House
