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

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.