How do you all feel about the AMA?

[deleted74029]

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I recently went to a health fair at my church and pretty much everyone there was african american. The doctor who was scheduled to speak was also black. She spent alot of the time telling the audience, which was an almost exclusively older crowd, that the AMA did not have the best interest of blacks at heart. She pointed to the fact that the AMA did not allow black physicians to join in the past and also the fact that the AMA did not support medicaid, medicare, or Obamas health plan. She told all of the people there to ask their physicians if they were members of the AMA, and spent alot of time talking up the NMA, the National Medical Association.

I don't know much about either organization, but I thought it was pretty irresponsible of her to present the AMA in the light that she did. IMHO it could cause some of those individuals there to not visit certain well qualified physicians anymore simply due to the organization they were apart of.

I'd just like to know what some of you guys think about these organizations and their practices.

 

[BlackDr2b]

I personally love everything about NMA/SNMA. I have been a member since 2004. I don't know too much about the AMA, but what I have heard, I don't care for them as much. I have heard about their history with African Americans and it does bother me, but oh well. I will continue to support NMA/SNMA. I don't think she was wrong in what she did. I think she was educating people on the organizations. But I dont know because I wasn't there. NMA/SNMA is the BOMB!!!!

 

[njbmd]

I am a member of the AMA, NMA (was SNMA when in medical school), the American College of Surgeons and the SBAS (Society of Black Academic Surgeons). I am currently involved with my regional PAC and writing advisement materials for the Obama administration in terms of health care policy and delivery. I have always been very politically active (since well before graduate school) and can't see not being involved in the political wings of my professional organizations.

The NMA was founded because black physicians were not part of the American Medical Association but that was in the past. Now, black physician's participate in AMA activities at all levels especially at the level of the local medical societies. The past is there and can't be changed but I certainly can affect the present and the future. I enjoy participation and fellowship in all of my professional organizations and work hard to keep abreast of the things that affect my practice. It just makes good sense since medicine is unique in that politics play a central role in how I am reimbursed for my professional services. I can't exclude an organization that represents me because of past behavior that can't be changed.

 

[metalambience]

I don't like the AMA. The are anti-foreign graduates too. They just want your money and will do very little for you individually as a member. Also, God help you if you try to suggest any conservative ideas to them.

 

[Shasan546]

I recently went to a health fair at my church and pretty much everyone there was african american. The doctor who was scheduled to speak was also black. She spent alot of the time telling the audience, which was an almost exclusively older crowd, that the AMA did not have the best interest of blacks at heart. She pointed to the fact that the AMA did not allow black physicians to join in the past and also the fact that the AMA did not support medicaid, medicare, or Obamas health plan. She told all of the people there to ask their physicians if they were members of the AMA, and spent alot of time talking up the NMA, the National Medical Association.

I don't know much about either organization, but I thought it was pretty irresponsible of her to present the AMA in the light that she did. IMHO it could cause some of those individuals there to not visit certain well qualified physicians anymore simply due to the organization they were apart of.

I'd just like to know what some of you guys think about these organizations and their practices.

lol a lot of doctors don't support Obama's plan. Just b.c they don't support it doesn't mean their anti-black.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I'm a member of the AMA as well and I've been very involved on the state and national levels. I joined because they are one of, if not, the largest physician organized healthcare lobbying organizations in the nation, even if I don't always support what they have to say. As with any organization, you can't let your voice be heard if you're not a member. So I chose to join and voice my thoughts whenever possible.