Statement attributable to:
Bobby Mukkamala, M.D.
President, American Medical Association
“The American Medical Association has been a leading voice in the call for prior authorization reform during the last decade, and we therefore applaud Secretary Kennedy, Administrator Oz, and Deputy Administrator Klomp for their leadership in convening the health insurance industry to address the urgent need for prior authorization reform. The proposals announced today would help right-size and streamline a process that is harming our patients daily. In fact, the announced reforms are ones the AMA has long advocated for to policymakers and echo commitments health plans previously agreed to in the 2018 Consensus Statement on Improving the Prior Authorization Process, including reducing the volume of prior authorization requirements, protecting care continuity as patients transition to new health plans, improving transparency, and automating the process.
“Despite widespread calls for meaningful reforms and the insurance industry’s past promises, the prior authorization process remains costly, inefficient, opaque, and too often hazardous for patients. That is why the AMA enthusiastically supported recent federal regulations that applied reforms to limited health insurance markets, including Medicare Advantage. We are optimistic that health plans’ pledge to expand the scope of several of these important reforms to other insurance types will provide more patients and physicians with relief. Moreover, we commend Senator Marshall and Congressman Murphy for their remarks at the event, as well as the continued bipartisan, bicameral commitment to codify these changes into law via passage of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
“We are pleased with the industry’s recognition that the current system is not working for patients, physicians or plans. However, patients and physicians will need specifics demonstrating that the latest insurer pledge will yield substantive actions to bring immediate and meaningful changes, break down unnecessary roadblocks, and keep medical decisions between patients and physicians. The AMA will closely monitor the implementation and impact of these changes as we continue to work with federal and state policymakers on legislative and regulatory solutions to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and, most importantly, protect patients from obstacles to medically necessary care.”
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
