AMA president recaps 2017 agenda that put patients, physicians first

HONOLULU — In his address at the American Medical Association (AMA) Interim Meeting, AMA President David O. Barbe, M.D., on Saturday recapped an aggressive year of advocacy and accomplishment, highlighting significant victories that protected patients and physicians, with the primary goal of improving the health of the nation.

Dr. Barbe highlighted the dedicated drumbeat by the AMA throughout the health reform debate — a push to protect insurance coverage gains on behalf of millions of Americans: “From the beginning, we have fought for nine key principles — including affordability, accessibility, protecting safety net programs and patient protections, and one overarching goal: maintaining and expanding health care coverage for Americans. Throughout this debate, the AMA has been a voice of reason, asking Congress to put Patients Before Politics, and urging Congress to work on bipartisan, sustainable solutions.”