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
In an effort to help physicians provide the most trusted and comprehensive resource for health care information to their patients on the Internet, the AMA, in partnership with six of the nation's leading medical societies, implemented its newly created electronic health network, Medem.
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
The AMA initiated the Dr. Nathan Davis International Awards in Medicine and Public Health, expanding the original Davis Awards program to recognize outstanding world leaders in the medical field
Passage of the Quality Health Care Coalition Act (H.R. 1304) in the U.S. House of Representatives placed physicians one step closer to collectively negotiating contracts with health plans
The AMA's Physicians for Responsible Negotiations (PRN) agreed to represent residents and fellows at a hospital facility in Illinois. This marked the first time private hospital residents have sought to exercise their physician negotiations rights under federal law
Catherine D. De Angelis, MD, MPH begins tenure as the fifteenth Editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, (JAMA) and Editor-in-Chief of the AMA's Division of Scientific Information and Multimedia. Dr. De Angelis is the first woman to be Editor in JAMA's one-hundred and sixteen year history
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 on the threat of bio-terrorism and disaster preparedness through public service announcements and by posting up-to-date information on its 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 revised its Principles of Medical Ethics to emphasize a physician's responsibility to the patient as paramount during the care of that patient, and that a physician shall support access to medical care for all people
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
To further develop its Internet ID service, an application designed to protect physician confidentiality online, the AMA joined forces with VeriSign, Inc. The partnership will accelerate the development of e-heath applications that can utilize the AMA's Internet ID service, allowing physicians to eventually shift more patient-sensitive work safely online
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.
The AMA tirelessly pursued its Medicare reform advocacy efforts on behalf of American physicians and patients. Issues such as Medicare paperwork reform, physician payment cuts and due process protections for physicians were on the AMA's lobbying agenda
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 continued an aggressive grassroots campaign to halt impending Medicare payment cuts, which threaten physicians' ability to provide adequate care to America's seniors
The Young Physicians Section released "Making the Right Choice: Assessing Practice Opportunities, including the Practice Environment", an interactive online publication that identifies issues for physicians to consider when looking to open a new practice
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 AMA Minority Affairs Consortium launched Doctors Back to School, a new program which aims to raise awareness of the need for minority physicians and to encourage children from underrepresented minority groups to choose medicine as a future career
AMA launched Member Connect, an online tool designed to provide AMA member physicians with an opportunity to have their voices heard on timely advocacy issues that affect their patients and their practices
The Medical Student Section of the AMA officially kicked off its National Service Project entitled, "No Butts About It…Tobacco Stinks," which focuses 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 Medical Library Association named Medem as one of the top ten most useful health care web sites
AMA established the Fund for Better Health, a grant-making initiative that will provide financial support to AMA-affiliated organizations and individuals for community service projects addressing public health issues such as health literacy, anti-tobacco, and violence prevention
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.
The AMA's Young Physician Section creates a "Resource Guide for Physicians Called to Active Duty" designed to provide basic information to physicians on the transition from private practice to active duty.
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 in America.
In an effort to reduce alcohol abuse among college students, the AMA and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation teams up with 10 campus-community coalitions to lead a live Web cast entitled, "A Matter of Degree: The National Effort to Reduce High-Risk Drinking Among College Students."
The AMA House of Delegates set new ethical guidelines for physicians providing retainer services, sometimes known as "boutique care." The guidelines ensure that physicians who provide additional care or special services in return for retainer fees deliver the same standard of care to all patients.
The AMA's Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response announces the release of the National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) program, designed to train physicians for mass casualty events, and also standardize emergency response nationwide.
The AMA House of Delegates approves recommendations from the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, which state that cloning for biomedical research is consistent with medical ethics. The recommendations also include the critical importance of appropriate oversight and safeguards for subjects involved in such research.
The AMA's Ethics Resource Center selects 10 U.S. and Canadian medical school partners for its Strategies for Teaching and Evaluating Professionalism (STEP) program which encourages the design of innovative methods for teaching professional competencies and for evaluating the success of those methods.
The AMA announces the online release of the "Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers."
In partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the American Hospital Association (AHA), the AMA announces a nationwide campaign to distribute information on patient safety to health care providers and patients. The "5 Steps to Safer Health Care" includes practical tips to help patients avoid errors related to prescription medicines, laboratory test and procedures and surgery.
The AMA supports "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day," part of the national campaign to reduce minority health disparities, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and ABC Radio Networks. The AMA helps to promote the day as part of its ongoing Health Disparities Program.
The AMA creates an improved HIPAA complaint form available on its website, offering physicians an opportunity to register complaints about health plans, third-party players, clearinghouses and other entities in regards to their lack of compliance with HIPAA rules and regulations.
The AMA announces the release of the AMA Complete Medical Encyclopedia, the first major medical encyclopedia published in the 21st century.
To aid in the fight against the growing epidemic of obesity, the AMA releases a comprehensive guide to help physicians identify and treat obesity in adult patients, "Assessment and Management of Adult Obesity: A Primer for Physicians."
On December 8th, President George Bush signs the historic Medicare Prescription Drug Bill, and took a moment out of his speech to thank the AMA for its efforts in support of the bill.
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.
As a demonstration of the AMA's continued commitment to the elimination of health care disparities, the AMA's Program on Health Disparities and its Health Disparities Internal Working Group develops the Recognition of Excellence in Eliminating Health Disparities.
AMA joins the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to launch the 100,000 Lives Campaign, a national initiative with a goal of saving 100,000 lives among patients in hospitals through improvements in the safety and effectiveness of health care.
The Ethical Force Program® releases "Ensuring Fairness in Health Care Coverage Decisions: A Consensus Report on the Ethical Design and Administration of Health Care Benefits." The report indicates five general criteria to be used in health care coverage decisions in addition to providing more than 70 recommendations to enable organizations to fulfill these criteria.
The AMA and Physicians for Responsible Negotiation (PRN), the labor organization which the AMA helped to organize in 1999, mutually agrees that PRN should operate as an entirely independent organization.
In an effort to help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities and increase diversity in medicine, the AMA House of Delegates adds a voting position for its Minority Affairs Consortium, a special interest group established in 1997.
The AMA Center for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response receives a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to implement its "Core Disaster Life Support" course – a disaster life support training program for health care professionals.
Following the adoption of a House of Delegates resolution calling for a national clinical trials registry, AMA officials testify at a Congressional hearing and outlined the essential elements needed to make the registry effective.
The AMA launches AMA Member Connect, an ongoing survey initiative that gives members the unprecedented opportunity to provide input into the AMA's agenda and initiatives.
In order to address growing concerns among physicians over the inappropriate use of prescribing data, the AMA launches the Prescribing Data Information Center, a web-based resource featuring information on how pharmaceutical companies use prescribing data, the AMA's Use of Prescribing Data Guidelines, and a physician feedback form.
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.
AMA releases "Working Together to End Racial and Ethnic Disparities: One Physician at a Time", a kit which includes tools to help physicians eliminate gaps in health care based on race and culture.
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.
The AMA reveals its new logo and streamlined advocacy agenda at the Annual House of Delegates Meeting. The logo retains the Staff of Asclepius, but its more contemporary design represents the AMA's goal of shaping the future of medicine.
In response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, the AMA Foundation establishes the Health Care Recovery Fund to provide physicians with resources to help them rebuild or restore their damaged medical practices in declared disaster areas.
The AMA House of Delegates adopts a report by the Council on Medical Education which recognizes a physician manpower shortage as well as evidence to support additional shortages in the future.
The AMA issues new ethical guidelines addressing quarantine and isolation treatment to help physicians adequately balance public health goals with the interests of individual patients during epidemics.
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 HOD adopts policy denouncing unfair efficiency criteria for evaluating physician performance. Soon after the AMA Litigation Center successfully assists physicians in fighting Regence BlueShield’s physician assessment program, Regence BlueShield, one of Washington State's largest managed care organizations, instituted a provider sub-network supposedly based on its analyses of quality and efficiency, but actually based on flawed measurement criteria.
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.
AMA advocates for diversity and ending health care disparities through new policy addressing diversity in the physician workforce, and resources including the video "Working Together to End Racial and Ethnic Disparities: One Physician at a Time."
The House of Delegates approves policy in support of protecting health care workers from criminal charges for providing health care to undocumented aliens, and discouraging movements to require health care professionals to collect information on or report undocumented individuals.
The AMA litigation Center lends continuing legal and financial support to a Florida medical staff, suing hospital administration to regain control of its own bylaws. After a local law allowed hospital administration to change medical staff bylaws, the Litigation Center stands with the physicians through several appeals and counter-suits.
The AMA leads physicians’ involvement in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s highly successful "100,000 Lives Campaign," which demonstrably improves care in 3,000 hospitals nationwide and increases patient safety.
The AMA makes great strides in health information technology (HIT); developing content for the AMA website and leading discussions on HIT issues such as adoption, cost, subsidization, patient access, functionality, and interoperability.
The AMA testifies to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about rapid consolidation in the health insurance industry which was documented in the landmark fifth edition of Competition in Health Insurance: a Comprehensive Study of U.S. Markets; and led to the opposition to UnitedHealth Group's acquisition of PacifiCare Health Systems, resulting in the Justice Department-for the first time in six years- placing conditions on a health insurer merger.
The AMA co-sponsors the National Influenza Vaccine Summit to bring stakeholders together to plan for annual influenza immunizations, and continues to work closely with the CDC and others to improve vaccine supply and distribution.
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.
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.
AMA launches the "Voice for the Uninsured" Campaign to spur action to cover America’s 47 million uninsured. The three year campaign focuses on Washington D.C. and the presidential election with its ultimate goal to enact legislation to cover the uninsured. The highly visible campaign garners much recognition for the AMA among physicians and the public, and supports its proposal of coming to a solution for the uninsured.
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.
In a move to protect physicians who volunteer at free clinics or provide medical care during an emergency, the House of Delegates urges state governments to enact legislation guaranteeing liability relief for their services.
The AMA launches JAMA-français, the French language version of JAMA and the first publication accredited in France to provide online journal-based continuing educational credit for physicians.
With the help of the AMA Washington D.C. office, the Medical Student and Resident and Fellow Sections successfully lobbies the US Department of Education to reinstate the 20/220 pathway, an economic hardship loan deferment option, originally eliminated by Congress.
AMA continues its work against tobacco use supporting a resolution to eliminate the sale of tobacco products in retail pharmacies, providing trustworthy information on cessation and introducing new regulation of the tobacco industry and products.
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.
2008
The AMA’s Voice for the Uninsured Campaign enters its second phase, urging voters to consider the 1 in 7 Americans without health insurance when they cast their ballots in the November Election. The campaign encourages the public to actively participate in solving the health care crisis, while drawing attention to the plight of individual Americans without adequate health care coverage. The ads feature real physicians and actual uninsured patients.
A group convened by the AMA’s Institute for Ethics publishes "African American Physicians and Organized Medicine, 1846-1968." Appearing in the July 16 edition of JAMA, the piece investigates the Association’s relationship to and positions on race. Following publication of the article, AMA issues an apology for its historical role in discrimination against African-Americans in organized medicine.
Local chapters of the AMA’s Medical Student Section (MSS) participate in Cover the Uninsured Week, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The MSS encourages its members to be active in their communities, bringing further attention to the millions of American without adequate health insurance. Students are encouraged to sponsor health screenings, hold vigils, tour clinics, organize health fairs, and take part in other events or raise awareness.
Addressing a growing trend, the AMA adopts guidelines for "medical tourism" at its Annual meeting. Aimed at employers and insurance providers, the guidelines include assurances that care abroad will be voluntary; referrals are given only for appropriately accredited institutions; patients have access to adequate accreditation physician licensing data, and continuity of care is not compromised.
AMA publishes the first National Health Insurer Report Card to raise awareness about the efficiency and accuracy with which major insurers handle claims and payments for physician services. The report card is one resource the AMA offers physicians in its campaign to "Heal the Claims Process," in addition to an online tool to help them manage claims in their practices.
AMA President Ronald M. Davis, MD, encourages the medical community to "go green," and the HOD considers several environmentally focused resolutions. An audit of the AMA’s operations reveals green initiatives across the AMA, including: increased use of paperless communication and record-keeping, an employee volunteer group, Taking Environmental Action Locally (TEAL), environmentally-sound products in the AMA cafeteria, and use of energy-efficient fixtures in AMA buildings.
Delegates vote in support of clear communication to hospital patients regarding the professional credentials of medical personnel, and that those holding a doctorate declare themselves as non-physicians. The House also discourages the use of physician licensing questions for certification in the allied health fields.
The AMA House of Delegates speaks out on public health and safety issues, passing resolutions in favor of reducing trans fats in restaurants, and bans on sending text messages while driving. Anti-tobacco resolutions include support for banning flavor-additives in cigarettes, and prohibiting the sale of tobacco products in retail operations with health clinics.
The AMA’s grassroots efforts results in passage of H.R. 6331 "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act," which replaces 18 months of Medicare payment cuts, and provides measure for quality reporting and e-prescribing.
The AMA approves resolutions discouraging discrimination against transgendered patients and sets the goal of increasing physician competency on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender health issues.
2009
Responding to concerns about the H1N1 virus, or "Swine Flu," AMA expedites Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to accommodate H1N1 diagnoses, and launches www.amaH1N1info.org. The website provides resources and news updates, as well as practitioner and patient-specific flu assessment tools.
AMA promotes its “Vision for Health System Reform,” which advocates for affordable health insurance for all Americans. The campaign’s seven guiding principles address access to and affordability of insurance coverage, rising costs and inefficiencies in health care administration, Medicare, medical liability, and preservation of the doctor-patient relationship.
The first edition of the Ending Disparities e-Letter appears in September. The newsletter reports on the activities of the Commission to End Health Care Disparities, and also raises awareness about inequities in patient care, and promoting diversity among the physician population.
The AMA announces a record-breaking settlement agreement with United Health Care. A lawsuit initiated by the Association and the state medical societies of Missouri and New York alleged that the insurer systematically underpaid physicians who provided out-of-network care for policyholders. The settlement subsequently gains preliminary federal approval.
Delegates to the AMA’s Interim meeting endorse a resolution calling for an end to the federal "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" policy regarding gays and lesbians in the US military.
The American Medical Association expands communications via social networking sites Twitter and Facebook. The tools allow the Association to deliver timely updates to members and the public about health system reform, and the AMA’s other advocacy efforts.
The House of Delegates adopts a resolution endorsed by the Organized Medical Staff Section that includes "Principles for a Sustainable and Successful Hospitalist Program." The principles, developed with the Joint Commission, American Hospital Association, and Society of Hospital Medicine, address a range of issues that include patient satisfaction, coordination among care providers, staffing, and rationale for hospitalist programs.
At its Interim 2009 meeting, the AMA’s House of Delegates reaffirms policy that unequivocally states that physicians "must oppose and must not participate in torture for any reason."
The AMA continues to make the physical fitness and diet of Americans a top priority. A resolution adopted at its Annual meeting calls on the Association to advocate for federal and state initiatives “that encourage personal responsibility for proper dietary habits and physical activity for individual Americans.” The AMA will also continue to develop educational materials promoting these healthy habits in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The AMA successfully negotiates the inclusion of AMA priorities in health system reform legislation and successfully removes provisions detrimental to patients and physicians. The AMA achieves House passage of HR 3961, which would eliminate the Sustainable Growth rate (SGR) formula, and the inclusion of key AMA policy in the “Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009” (ARRA), both of which were signed into law.
Long-time AMA member Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, is nominated and confirmed as Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Benjamin served the AMA in several capacities including Delegate from Mississippi, member of the Advisory Committee on Minority Physicians, chair of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, and was the first member to hold the Young Trustee position on the AMA ‘s Board of Trustees.
