AMA's advocacy agenda: 7 goals requiring medicine's strength

The AMA has targeted seven key advocacy issues critical to protect the nation's health care.

Editorial. Jan. 24, 2005.

As the 109th Congress convened earlier this month, representatives and senators from across the country were no doubt contemplating their own agendas for the upcoming legislative session.

They should fully expect to be asked to make items from the American Medical Association's health care advocacy agenda a priority as well. The agenda focuses on national issues, some practice-focused, some patient-focused, but all designed to help doctors help their patients. The seven-item list is the AMA response to something its members have called for -- focused advocacy efforts. In its own words, here are the items the AMA will be fighting for:

1. Medical liability reform: Medical liability premiums are disastrously high, and the situation is only getting worse for physicians and patients. The AMA is taking a two-pronged legislative approach to stabilizing rates. It is pressing Congress for MICRA-like reforms, including a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages. The Association also supports state efforts to pass reforms similar to AMA-proposed federal solutions.

2. Medicare payment reform: The AMA is fighting for legislation that would fix Medicare's fatally flawed reimbursement formula, which is expected to result in a 31% decrease in physician payments over the next seven years. The Association also is pursuing regulatory changes that would reduce the effect of the proposed cuts.