Difficult times demand activism -- and membership

AMA Leader Commentary. By Donald J. Palmisano, MD, Aug. 18, 2003.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

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A message to all physicians from AMA President Donald J. Palmisano, MD

"Do your homework. Have courage. Don't give up." More than 40 years ago, my father offered this advice to me at a time when I wavered in my commitment to become a physician.

These wise but simple words reignited my desire to finish medical school and propelled me toward a future brighter and more blessed than I ever could have imagined.

Today, I offer those words to you, as together we face one of the most challenging environments that modern medicine has ever faced.

Do your homework. Have courage. Don't give up.

Physicians all over America feel bruised, battered and beleaguered -- and no wonder. Consider just some of the problems afflicting our profession and our patients.

A health insurance system that leaves more than 41 million Americans without coverage. Unreasonable -- and unfunded -- government mandates and rules. A fatally flawed physician payment formula that threatens the very foundation of Medicare. Delayed, denied and downcoded claims. Stacks of paperwork. Diminished time for patients. And a medical liability system that defies common sense and reason. That threatens to push many of us out of high-risk services. That puts all of America's patients at risk.

The problems go on and on. Yet now is not the time to sit around the coffeepot and complain. Now is the time to fight for our patients and our profession. It's a fight we can win together -- provided we do our homework, have courage and never give up.

Take medicine's No. 1 legislative priority: medical liability reform. When we do our homework, it's clear to see that the facts are on our side.