Issues too important to allow AMA a summer rest

AMA Leader Commentary. By William G. Plested III, MD. May 5, 2003.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

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A message to all physicians from William G. Plested III, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees.

Medical care remains at the top of the national agenda this summer with medical liability, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, Medicare reform and health care reform all being considered by Congress and by state legislatures. The results of these deliberations will shape American medicine for years to come. Therefore, the AMA has intensified its activities rather than taking a rest and enjoying the summer.

Our No. 1 legislative priority continues to be federal medical liability reform. The crisis continues to grow. The AMA just added Wyoming to our list of crisis states, which now number 19. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Senate voted 49-48 on a procedural vote not to limit debate on medical liability reform and vote on the Patients First Act of 2003 (S 11). Although this vote fell 11 short of the magic number of 60 needed to break a filibuster and prevent a floor vote on the issue, it represents a four-vote gain on our side.

The record now shows which legislators are content to allow patient access to care to suffer because of our broken medical liability system. I personally cannot understand how these senators have so completely missed the essence of this debate.

Physicians are simply trying to preserve their ability to provide care to their patients. Patients are suffering more every day when 48 senators maintain the status quo. Why certain senators do not see this is beyond my comprehension.