Patients' rights efforts are good medicine

AMA Leader Commentary. By D. Ted Lewers, MD. Jan. 1/8, 2001.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

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A message to all physicians from D. Ted Lewers, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees.

This month, the 107th Congress, for the first time since last year's amazing and historic election, is going about the business of legislating this country's challenging and complex affairs. Like many of you, I've listened to the prognosticators discuss how this Congress may be marked by contention and acrimony, and how thoughtful debate and proactive legislation can be derailed by partisan bickering.

I'm more optimistic than that, though, because when the physician community comes together, we have the influence and ability to break through the partisan roadblocks and build the foundation for strong patients' rights and strong physicians' rights. Last year, we made significant progress on both fronts, learned important lessons and built strategic footholds. This year, we already are working hard to deliver the results you and your patients have asked for.

Our fight to pass a real patients' bill of rights has been a long and hard fight, but we're closer than ever. With your help, in 1999, we built a bipartisan congressional majority seldom seen in Washington. After years of AMA advocacy, 275 members of the U.S. House passed what is known as the Norwood-Dingell Patients' Bill of Rights.

The nation's news media called our work "historic." We agree, not the least because of the success of our grassroots AMA National House Call campaign to build public support for our advocacy.

As a result, just a few months ago, a majority of senators courageously stood with the AMA and were prepared to vote for the only bill that provides physicians and patients the rights they deserve: [...]