AMA Support? WTF!!!?

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Am I seeing things or did I long on the SDN only to see an add in favor of the Premier's health care bill paid for by the AMA at the top of this page?

Members don't see this ad.
 
Am I seeing things or did I long on the SDN only to see an add in favor of the Premier's health care bill paid for by the AMA at the top of this page?
The AMA is, and always has been, a joke. They pretend to represent physician interests, but never have. Look how physicians have taken it from behind over the last 20 years.
 
I canceled my membership after learning they endorsed the plan. I wasn't the only person I know who did that either
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I think the AMA endorsed the plan in return for the inclusion of a provision to repeal the mandated 21% cut in medicare payments that was slated to go into effect next year.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124801397829262869.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

If you recall, about every year and a half, these cuts are almost implemented, but then the AMA lobbies like hell to have them postponed. This would appear to solve that problem.
 
You all need to remember that the AMA is also very primary care driven-much of their membership is from the primary care fields-thus, it's in their vested interest to support this legislation as their salaries will increase while screwing us as anesthesiologists
 
You all need to remember that the AMA is also very primary care driven-much of their membership is from the primary care fields-thus, it's in their vested interest to support this legislation as their salaries will increase while screwing us as anesthesiologists

Funny, cause the primary folk say the complete opposite.
 
i'm pretty sure no physician salaries will increase under this plan. Maybe only the laziest of physicians will see an increase in their salaries.

those of us that work hard will only see our salaries fall, regardless of specialty.
 
I was a member of the AMA for 1 yr right out of residency . I quickly learned how anti-anesthesiology they are and have never been a member since. I still get emails asking me to return and they just don't get it.
 
I was a member of the AMA for 1 yr right out of residency . I quickly learned how anti-anesthesiology they are and have never been a member since. I still get emails asking me to return and they just don't get it.

They seem to be interested to sell life insurance....
There is also one anesthesia guy on the board and he worked in private practice - why we don't hear his voice?
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/us/politics/21lobby.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

"In the last two weeks, the http://www.ama-assn.org/American Medical Association has endorsed the House’s version of the health care overhaul, and lobbyists for pharmaceutical companies and for-profit hospitals have stood with the White House to pledge billions in cost cuts so long as the proposed public health insurance program does not threaten to undercut them. The drug companies are even underwriting television commercials supporting an overhaul."

"Mr. Elmendorf said he encouraged clients to work with the administration. “Look at the landscape,” he tells them, “and realize the Democrats will control the White House, House and Senate for at least four years.”

"
“How do you oppose such a popular president, especially when he has a style that seems so inviting and sensible?” said Ed Rogers, a Reagan administration official whose lobbying firm, BGR Group, reported a 13 percent decline in first-quarter fees, to about $4.1 million.
“A lot of the typical industry players that would, on paper, be against these initiatives,” Mr. Rogers said, “have been in part co-opted and in part intimidated by the administration.”
 
The AMA did the political math. The AMA threw the specialists under the bus. Primary care will come out this of as winners. However, if the congressional bills put the NP's and PA's on the same level as primary care doctors, it's probably a short-lived victory for primary care doctors.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I was a member of the AMA for 1 yr right out of residency . I quickly learned how anti-anesthesiology they are and have never been a member since. I still get emails asking me to return and they just don't get it.



yep you're not the only one, 2 of my attendings in the ICU said they won't renew their membership and said many of the docs in my hospital feel the same way.

What's worse is that the AMA supported this plan without even reading it.


Also the whole BS about the 49 million or whatever uninsured in the US is that high because more than 50% of them are people in their 20's and early 30's who are healthy and don't want to waste money on health insurance and would rather spend it on something else, they never go to see their doctor because they don't need to. Then a good chunk of people should be on medicaid but are too stupid or too lazy to fill out the paperwork... the number of truly uninsured that can't afford insurance and can't qualify for medicaid isn't that big and they get free health care, there are free clinics or the ED doesn't turn anyone down, they just have to wait.. well now everyone will have to wait.
 
Also the whole BS about the 49 million or whatever uninsured in the US is that high because more than 50% of them are people in their 20's and early 30's who are healthy and don't want to waste money on health insurance and would rather spend it on something else, they never go to see their doctor because they don't need to. Then a good chunk of people should be on medicaid but are too stupid or too lazy to fill out the paperwork... the number of truly uninsured that can't afford insurance and can't qualify for medicaid isn't that big and they get free health care, there are free clinics or the ED doesn't turn anyone down, they just have to wait.. well now everyone will have to wait.

Bingo
 
Where are the insurance companies? or the pharmacutical companies? I thought they had lobbying power? They're going to go out of business even faster than the doctors are... I would imagine it will be very hard to pass this reform when all the insurance companies and pharm companies lobby the government unanimously.
 
They should stand on principle. Obama's numbers are on the way downnnn...and fast, relative to other Prez'. In fact, faster than Carters at this point.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/us/politics/21lobby.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

"In the last two weeks, the http://www.ama-assn.org/American Medical Association has endorsed the House’s version of the health care overhaul, and lobbyists for pharmaceutical companies and for-profit hospitals have stood with the White House to pledge billions in cost cuts so long as the proposed public health insurance program does not threaten to undercut them. The drug companies are even underwriting television commercials supporting an overhaul."

"Mr. Elmendorf said he encouraged clients to work with the administration. “Look at the landscape,” he tells them, “and realize the Democrats will control the White House, House and Senate for at least four years.”

"
“How do you oppose such a popular president, especially when he has a style that seems so inviting and sensible?” said Ed Rogers, a Reagan administration official whose lobbying firm, BGR Group, reported a 13 percent decline in first-quarter fees, to about $4.1 million.
“A lot of the typical industry players that would, on paper, be against these initiatives,” Mr. Rogers said, “have been in part co-opted and in part intimidated by the administration.”
 
Driving home today I hear the president of the AMA on the radio. He claims that the AMA endorsed the bill because the current bill is not the final bill.:eek:

What the F*ck does that mean?

So he endorsed a bill that he believes will change.:eyebrow:

Am I missing something here?:uhno:

This is why the AMA is losing the masses and that medicine may very well be in deep ****.:bang:
 
The AMA did the political math. The AMA threw the specialists under the bus. Primary care will come out this of as winners. However, if the congressional bills put the NP's and PA's on the same level as primary care doctors, it's probably a short-lived victory for primary care doctors.

Primary care guys are fools if they trust the govt. To read some of their stuff, looks like they are buying it hook, line, and sinker. Sad to see them begging for gov't scraps, while CRNAs out-earn them with half the work and a tenth of the knowledge/investment.

One hand giving them scraps the other raising the DNP knife to stab them in the back. Deal with gov't is a deal with the devil...
 
Obama said he "isn't familiar" what's in the healthcare bill.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/vi...r_with_key_provision_in_health_care_bill.html

Unbelievable!! How can anyone support this!?

Driving home today I hear the president of the AMA on the radio. He claims that the AMA endorsed the bill because the current bill is not the final bill.:eek:

What the F*ck does that mean?

So he endorsed a bill that he believes will change.:eyebrow:

Am I missing something here?:uhno:

This is why the AMA is losing the masses and that medicine may very well be in deep ****.:bang:
 
Obama said he "isn't familiar" what's in the healthcare bill.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/vi...r_with_key_provision_in_health_care_bill.html

Unbelievable!! How can anyone support this!?

Because, as always, symbolism over substance is the rule for Barry-O, Nancy "the mother-in-law" Pelosi, and Reid. They honestly believe it is better to pass a piece of pandering $h1t legislation to keep their constituents happy than it is to craft a good, fair one. It's about keeping the votes and staying in power for them. They care more about their personal power than anything else.
 
I had my AMA membership sitting on the desk while I waited to see how they would handle this healthcare reform. Needless to say, after hearing about these kinds of things, that membership paper is in the trash and shall never be filled and I then went ahead and downloaded the ASA application knowing the importance of supporting the only organization that is fighting for us. It's really cheap for all residents to join (states on the form $12.50 after June 30th and $5 for medical students!!!!)
 
I had my AMA membership sitting on the desk while I waited to see how they would handle this healthcare reform. Needless to say, after hearing about these kinds of things, that membership paper is in the trash and shall never be filled and I then went ahead and downloaded the ASA application knowing the importance of supporting the only organization that is fighting for us. It's really cheap for all residents to join (states on the form $12.50 after June 30th and $5 for medical students!!!!)

Don't forget to donate to the ASAPAC once you're a member! Definitely worth the coin right now...

The AMA gave me a year's free membership for some reason after graduating in May. After it lapses they definitely won't ever be getting a penny from me.

I would have cancelled my membership, but I thought it would've sounded a little lame to cancel something that had been given to me for free. :oops:
 
They should stand on principle. Obama's numbers are on the way downnnn...and fast, relative to other Prez'. In fact, faster than Carters at this point.


They should stand on principal, but it's a political organization.

It's hard to read anything from Obama's popularity right now. He's bound to come down when you start that high, particularly when you are waging as many battles as he is.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/presidential-approval-tracker.htm

Two-thirds of Americans approved of the jobs Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush were doing at six months, but both would lose their bids for re-election.
And though the younger Bush and Bill Clinton had significantly lower ratings at 180 days — Clinton had sunk to 41% approval — both won second terms.

Either way, it will be hard for him to replicate GW's freefall.
 
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Because, as always, symbolism over substance is the rule for Barry-O, Nancy "the mother-in-law" Pelosi, and Reid. They honestly believe it is better to pass a piece of pandering $h1t legislation to keep their constituents happy than it is to craft a good, fair one. It's about keeping the votes and staying in power for them. They care more about their personal power than anything else.


That sounds like an ingenious tack for a politician.

No matter which side you are on, that is the common remark of anyone against the ruling party. You are just blind to it when the proposed platform happens to agree with your own goals.
 
A number of state medical associations, Georgia and at least 13 others, are quickly distancing themselves from the AMA stance, coming out on record AGAINST ObamaCare.
 
This is going to be very interesting. The AMA will more than likely have to do some serious backtracking which I think has already started with the NPR story yesterday and I'll bet we see some public service messages as well. They are on the way to losing a large portion of their support. My prediction is that they will fold.
 
This is going to be very interesting. The AMA will more than likely have to do some serious backtracking which I think has already started with the NPR story yesterday and I'll bet we see some public service messages as well. They are on the way to losing a large portion of their support. My prediction is that they will fold.

Pretty much everyone on this thread seems to be of one mindset. I, personally, was considering canceling my membership after the AMA came out against any public plan. I have a feeling they heard it hard from their members who, much like myself, feel a public plan is necessary for any meaningful health reform. From some of the most recent statements from the ASA, I think they heard it too.

I can't say I back the current plan unless they change the billing methodology, but I feel the AMA made a big mistake by opposing any public plan. It was also a PR nightmare, as it did nothing to improve the view of physicians as money-grubbing individuals who could care less about well-being of society. We all know it is a hell of a lot more complicated than that, but as long as physicians appear opposed to changing our ineffective system, the public will continue to lose sympathy for a pay cut from $400k to $250K...

We NEED a public plan of some sort. Pretty much every country with universal coverage has one. The AMA is correct to support the idea of the public plan, and then fight for the right one.
 
if youre not at the table youre on the menu.
 
I knew that the AMA had socialized medicine tendencies when I joined them last year, but the way I figured it, my 4 years of printed JAMA cost more than my $85 membership fee. Sometimes the best way to screw them IS to join. :)
 
I was a member of AMSA for my first year of med school. I'd get so angry reading their magazine and seeing the stupid things they seemed to care about. I was pleased to not renew my membership. I always assumed that the AMA was just a continuation of this, and it turns out I'm right. I've never been a member and I'm happy to say I never will be.
 
I wish my membership hadn't expired recently so I could call the AMA and withdraw my membership!
 
TOP TEN SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE JOINED OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE PLAN:

(10) Your annual breast exam is done at Hooters.

(9) Directions to your doctor's office include "Take a left when you enter the trailer park."

(8) The tongue depressors taste faintly of Fudgesicles.

(7) The only proctologist in the plan is "Gus" from Roto-Rooter.

(6) The only item listed under Preventative Care Coverage is "an apple a
day."

(5) Your primary care physician is wearing the pants you gave to Goodwill last month.

(4) "The patient is responsible for 200% of out-of-network charges," is not a typographical error.

(3) The only expense covered 100% is "embalming."

(2) Your Prozac comes in different colors with little M's on them.

AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOU'VE JOINED OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE PLAN:

(1) You ask for Viagra, and they give you a Popsicle stick and duct tape
 
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