National Legislative Activities
Medical liablity reform
Medicare payment reform
Uninsured/access to care
Patient safety
Antitrust
Education & research funding
On March 30, 2006 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Higher Education Act reauthorization which contains key provisions that will help medical students manage their school debt. Joe McDonald, AMA Medical Student Board Member, said about the bill, "many physicians begin practicing medicine with staggering student loans averaging $120,280. This burden may deter new physicians from entering careers in public health, medical education, medical research or primary care." Mr. McDonald went on to say, "the AMA will continue to advocate for effective medical student debt relief legislation and we will work with the U.S. Senate as it considers its version of the Higher Education Act reauthorization."
The AMA continues to seek federal funding for graduate medical education and clinical, public health, and health services research as well as work to increase appropriations for National Institutes of Health (NIH) , the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and other federal agencies. Additionally, the AMA is continually working with Congress to fund the health professions programs under Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act which are essential components of our nation's health care safety net.
Content provided by: AMA in Washington