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OPINION

Where would we be without the AMA?

AMA Leader Commentary. By Richard F. Corlin, MD. Nov. 19, 2001.

A message to all physicians from AMA President Richard F. Corlin, MD.

Remember that 1946 Frank Capra movie starring Jimmy Stewart: "It's A Wonderful Life"? It's America's favorite movie every year this time of year.


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Remember the theme? The hero, George Bailey, learns to appreciate his life after he sees what would have happened to his little town without him. And he realizes how grateful his friends and neighbors are for what he's contributed to their lives.

The message of "It's a Wonderful Life" is as true for institutions as it is for individuals. And it leads us to a question that's well worth considering. Where would we be -- as physicians, as patients, as citizens of the nation -- without the AMA?

In an attempt to answer that question, I imagined what health care reporters might be writing if the AMA didn't exist. These headlines are just a taste of what I envisioned.

The six-week delay in processing physician billings may soon be coming to a close, due to the creation of new Medicare forms. "It will be a relief when it finally happens," said Washington-area physician, Dr. I.M. Broke, when told of the news. Dr. Broke has been unable to see patients because the electric company has turned off the lights in his office.

The most recent delay in physician payment is the result of legislation passed in Congress last year. This legislation mandated that Medicare billing forms (Form 666) be printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. But the soy ink didn't absorb and the forms smeared so badly that computers could not read the information. No claims were processed during this time. [...]

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