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Press releases & statements

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AMA concerned: New ICD-10 proposed new rule burden for physicians

"If CMS' new ICD-10 proposal goes into effect, physicians and their office staff will have to contend with 155,000 codes..." Aug. 20, 2008

Planning for medical emergencies critical at political conventions

As the Democratic and Republican national parties prepare for their upcoming conventions, a new study of a first-of-its-kind medical emergency plan implemented at the 2004 Democratic National Convention (DNC) can provide insight for both conventions’ medical and safety contingency plans.... Aug. 20, 2008

AMA urges action to cover the uninsured through ads at presidential conventions

The American Medical Association urges action to cover the uninsured through outdoor advertisements at the presidential conventions in Denver and Minneapolis. The ads are part of the AMA’s Voice for the Uninsured campaign and can be seen on taxi tops, in transit stations and on billboards.... Aug. 19, 2008

AMA applauds new law to help med students/residents better manage loans

“The American Medical Association applauds the passage of the Higher Education Act (HEA), signed into law by the President yesterday." Aug. 18, 2008

New recommendations to protect disaster survivors

To help injured disaster survivors that may be at risk for infection from blood-borne viruses or tetanus in the environment, new vaccine recommendations were released today.... Aug. 4, 2008

AMA disappointed in HHS decision to add new conditions to hospital no-pay list

"The federal government's decision today to no longer pay hospitals for care provided for three additional medical conditions acquired in the hospital puts patient care at risk." July 31, 2008

AMA testifies to Senate Judiciary Committee: Opposes merger of Pennsylvania's top health insurers

The American Medical Association (AMA) testified today before the Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition of the proposed merger of Pennsylvania insurers Highmark and Independence Blue Cross (IBC). July 31

AMA applauds U.S. House for acting to protect Americans from the dangers of tobacco

"Today, the U.S. House of Representatives took a critical step to combat smoking-related diseases by passing the ‘Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act’ and giving the FDA needed regulatory authority over tobacco products." July 30, 2008

AMA calls on U.S. House to better protect Americans from the dangers of tobacco

"This week, the U.S. House of Representatives must take a critical step to combat smoking-related diseases by passing the 'Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act' and giving the FDA needed regulatory authority over tobacco products." July 29, 2008

Joseph Heyman, MD, begins term as AMA Board Chair

The American Medical Association (AMA) announced today that Joseph M. Heyman, MD, assumes the chair of the AMA Board of Trustees after a one-year term as chair-elect. July 18, 2008

AMA asks Pennsylvania regulators to reject merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross

Testifying today before the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, the AMA warned that the proposed merger is so anticompetitive that it amounts to a monopoly. July 16, 2008

Congress hears patient and physician voices and overrides presidential veto to stop Medicare physician payment cuts

"It has been a long and winding road, but today we celebrate that Congress heard the voices of millions of patients and physicians and voted to override President Bush's veto and protect the health of America." July 15, 2008

AMA calls on Congress to stand with America's patients and physicians to override Bush veto and avoid Medicare meltdown

"Today the AMA calls on all members of Congress to put patients first by voting to override President Bush's veto of H.R. 6331, which would protect access to health care for millions of Americans and avoid a Medicare meltdown." July 15, 2008

AMA apologizes for history of racial inequality and works to include and promote minority physicians

The American Medical Association (AMA) today apologizes for its past history of racial inequality toward African-American physicians, and shares its current efforts to increase the ranks of minority physicians and their participation in the AMA. July 10, 2008

Senate hears patient and physician voices and votes to stop Medicare physician payment cuts to avoid a Medicare meltdown

Today the American Medical Association celebrates that the Senate heard the voices of patients and physicians and voted to stop Medicare physician payment cuts that would have hurt seniors' access to care by a bipartisan, veto-proof majority of 69 to 30. July 9, 2008

AMA calls on U.S. Senate to pass HR 6331 today to preserve seniors' access to care

As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on legislation that would stop current Medicare cuts to physicians, the AMA is calling on Senators to cast a yes vote on H.R. 6331 to preserve seniors? access to care. July 9, 2008

Flood relief services not used by many victims

This summer, as the Midwest suffers from severe flooding, a new study finds that most flood victims do not utilize available disaster relief services. July 7, 2008

AMA Foundation names new member to the Board of Directors

The AMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the nation's largest physician association, recently named several new board members to its Board of Directors. July 1, 2008

AMA Foundation names Jean Howard president

Jean Howard of Traverse City, Michigan is finishing her fifth year on the AMA Foundation Board of Directors. She is the first Alliance representative to be President of the Foundation. July 1, 2008

AMA Foundation names Healthy Communities/Healthy America recipients

In an effort to address the growing problem of the uninsured and to recognize physician volunteerism, the AMA Foundation has presented 16 outstanding free clinics from across the country with grants ranging from $12,000 to $25,000. July 1, 2008

New AMA ads blast Senate inaction on Medicare cuts that begin today

Reflecting physicians' frustration... the AMA began airing new TV and radio ads urging opponents of H.R. 6331 to put patients' access to care before insurance profits. July 1, 2008

AMA outraged at Senators who put health insurers before Medicare patients

The physicians of America are outraged that a group of Republican senators followed the direction of the Bush Administration and voted to protect health insurance companies at the expense of America's seniors, disabled and military families. June 27, 2008

AMA statement on Markle Foundation PHR framework

The AMA is committed to improving patient safety, enhancing health care quality and strengthening the patient-physician bond through the use of appropriate technology... June, 26, 2008

Senate must act this week to avoid Medicare meltdown

AMA calls on Senate to approve bill that passed the House by a veto-proof, bipartisan majority to help ensure seniors' access to health care. June 26, 2008

AMA calls on U.S. Senate to approve House-passed legislation to stop Medicare cuts

"The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support yesterday in the House (355 to 59), and we hope our U.S. Senators will vote this week to pass this legislation..." June 25, 2008

AMA applauds U.S. House action to preserve seniors' access to health care

"The American Medical Association is pleased that an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives voted today to stop Medicare cuts that would harm seniors' access to health care." June 24, 2008

University of Arizona student, Kendall Allred, elected to AMA Board of Trustees

He was formally elected in November 2007 by his fellow medical students to serve a one-year term on the AMA Board of Trustees effective last week. June 23, 2008

AMA works to strengthen the physician workforce to best meet nation's health care needs

The AMA adopted this week at its Annual Meeting new policies to strengthen the physician workforce to meet the nation?s growing health care needs. June 19, 2008

Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, re-elected to speaker, AMA House of Delegates

"I am proud to represent the views of so many physicians and honored to help guide them in their policy-making decisions," June 17, 2008

AMA adopts new public health policies at Annual Meeting

The AMA, the nation's largest physician organization, voted today at its Annual Meeting to adopt the following new public health policies. June 17, 2008

Mary Anne McCaffree, MD, elected to AMA Board of Trustees

"I am grateful for this honor to serve physicians and patients, continuing our AMA mission to improve the health of Americans." June 17, 2008

AMA adopts new public health policies at Annual Meeting

The AMA, the nation's largest physician organization, voted today at its Annual Meeting to adopt the following new public health policies. June 17, 2008

AMA adopts new policies at Annual Meeting

The AMA, the nation's largest physician group, voted today at its Annual Meeting to adopt the following new policies. June 17, 2008

AMA adopts strategies to help address medical student debt

Upon graduation, the average medical student has a debt of $140,000. June 17, 2008

AMA finds high fructose syrup unlikely to be more harmful to health than other caloric sweetners

"At this time there is insufficient evidence to restrict the use of high fructose syrup or label products that contain it with a warning" June 17, 2008

AMA inaugurates Dr. Nancy Nielsen as president

She is the second woman to hold the AMA's highest elected office. June 17, 2008

William A. Hazel, JR., MD, re-elected to AMA Board of Trustees

"I am honored to be re-elected to a position to help physicians achieve our shared goal of providing the best quality care to our patients," June 17, 2008

Andrew W. Gurman, MD, re-elected to vice speaker, AMA House of Delegates

In this position, Dr. Gurman will assist in presiding over the policy-making body of the nation?s largest physician organization. June 17, 2008

J. James Rohack, MD, named AMA president-elect

"As AMA president-elect, I look forward to being a voice for American physicians as we work with others to solve America's challenges in providing the best medical care in the world to all, while preserving our sacred patient-physician relationship," June 17, 2008

AMA launches campaign to cut waste from chaotic insurance claims process, unveils new health insurer report card

To help reduce the substantial administrative burden of ensuring accurate insurance payments for physician services, the AMA today launched the Heal the Claims Process campaign... June 16, 2008

AMA provides first ever guidance on medical tourism

To ensure the safety of patients considering traveling abroad for medical care, new guiding principles on medical tourism were adopted today at the AMA annual policy-making meeting. June 16, 2008

AMA reinforces commitment to cover the uninsured at the Annual Meeting

The American Medical Association's commitment to cover the uninsured was clear today, as thousands of physicians reaffirmed the current AMA proposal to cover the uninsured... June 16, 2008

Financial incentives could improve organ donation and reduce donor-recipient gap

Today, the AMA adopted policy calling for the modification of current law to allow pilot studies on financial incentives for cadaveric organ donation. June 16, 2008

AMA brings Voice for the Uninsured campaign to Chicago

The AMA campaign is a three-year, multi-million dollar effort to spur action to cover America's uninsured. June 12, 2008

AMA protests award honoring accused Nazi war criminal

"The AMA is outraged that Nazi SS member and accused war criminal Hans-Joachim Sewering has received the highest honor from a German medical association." June 5, 2008

AMA offers solutions to help promote HIT adoption

Providing solutions to help promote widespread adoption of health information technology by physicians, the American Medical Association testified today to the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. June 4, 2008

New standards for treating substance use disorders ready for use

New clinician-level performance measures for treating patients with known substance use disorders were approved today at the AMA-convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement? meeting in the nation's capital. May 30, 2008

Hurricane survivors experience long-term mental health distress

As the Federal Emergency Management Agency works to close the last trailer parks that many Gulf-area hurricane survivors call home this weekend, the findings of a new study suggest that displacement affects survivors' mental health. May 30, 2008

AMA Foundation names Minority Scholars Award recipients

In an effort to promote diversity and help with the rapidly rising cost of medical education, the American Medical Association Foundation has presented 12 outstanding medical students from across the country with a $10,000 Minority Scholars Award. May 28, 2008

AMA applauds passage of new law to protect patients from genetic discrimination

"The American Medical Association has long called for better patient privacy safeguards as scientific advancements make it possible to individualize health care for patients." May 22, 2008

Physicians charge health insurer merger not in the public interest

The AMA, Nevada State Medical Association and Clark County Medical Society today announced they have filed joint comments seeking to reject the final judgment proposed by the Department of Justice in the acquisition of Sierra Health Services by United Health Group. May 15, 2008

AMA works to advance e-prescribing

The AMA highlighted its support for electronic prescribing today, and outlined key steps to move forward with broader adoption of e-prescribing at a meeting with stakeholders held at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. May 9, 2008

Clock ticking to stop Medicare physician cuts that hurt seniors

The AMA urged Congress to take immediate action to avert looming Medicare physician payment cuts that will harm seniors' access to care in testimony today to the House Small Business Committee. May 8, 2008

Prescription drug ads need more oversight to protect patients

Today, the AMA called for better government oversight of prescription drug advertisements directed at consumers to protect patients from misleading information. May 8, 2008

AMA urges Congress to save specialty hospitals for patients

The AMA calls on Congress to stand with America's patients and continue to oppose efforts by the hospital industry to eliminate competition. May 7, 2008

AMA warns of looming health care access crisis for South Carolina seniors

The American Medical Association today warned that South Carolina?s growing elderly population will soon face a shrinking pool of available physicians to care for them. May 2, 2008

AMA journal chosen for MEDLINE indexing

The AMA' Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness is the first comprehensive and authoritative journal emphasizing public health preparedness and disaster response. May 1, 2008

New AMA/RUC recommendations on Medicare medical home demo submitted to CMS

Recommendations on the new Medicare medical home demonstration project were submitted today to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by the American Medical Association/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee, commonly known as the RUC. April 29, 2008

AMA runs ads, medical students conduct events to highlight Cover the Uninsured Week

This week, the American Medical Association is running advertisements and medical students are holding events across the country to highlight the need to cover America's 47 million uninsured patients. April 29, 2008

AMA: Senate action protects patients from genetic discrimination

"Today, the U.S. Senate took a leap forward in protecting patients by passing legislation to keep genetic information secure." April 24, 2008

AMA committed to enforcement of BCBS settlement

The AMA announced today that it will begin enforcement of the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) settlement as a signatory medical society to the agreement. April 22, 2008

AMA welcomes new Vice President for Government Affairs

The American Medical Association is pleased to announce that Cynthia Brown, a highly respected advocate for physicians, will join the organization as the Vice President of Government Affairs. April 18, 2008

AMA to Congress: Don't cut Medicare to fund farm bill

"Opponents of physician-owned specialty hospitals are trying to slip a provision to ban specialty hospitals into the farm bill conference report, well after the bill has been passed by both the House and Senate." April 17, 2008

AMA calls for more physician training in aging care as IOM releases report

"The Institute of Medicine's new report on caring for the nation's aging highlights the AMA's concern that the current health care workforce will not be able to meet the growing health care needs of the expanding senior population." April 14, 2008

AMA provides guidance on creation of patient safety organizations

"The AMA is dedicated to improving the quality and safety of health care for patients, and to help meet that goal we have provided the government with the physicians' viewpoint on how to best proceed with the creation of PSOs." April 11, 2008

AMA applauds House Committee passage of tobacco regulation bill; Calls for full House passage

"The AMA urges the full House to take a critical step to combat smoking-related diseases by passing the bill this year, giving the FDA needed regulatory authority over tobacco products." April 2, 2008

AMA salutes public officials for dedication to health care with top award

The AMA today announced the eight recipients of the 2008 Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service... April 1, 2008

AMA physicians make a House Call on Congress

Physicians from across the nation are in Washington, D.C. this week to make a 'House Call' on Congress to save seniors' access to health care. April 1, 2008

AMA supports coalition's call for transparency and accurate reporting among health insurers

"The American Medical Association applauds efforts by the Consumer-Purchaser Disclosure Project to raise the bar on the reliability and validity of information that health insurers provide to patients." April 1, 2008

Hundreds of AMA medical students and residents lobby Congress on medical student debt, uninsured and Medicare

Nearly 300 medical student, resident and fellow members of the AMA from across the nation are storming Capitol Hill today urging Congress to protect access to care for America's patients. March 31, 2008

AMA celebrates National Doctor's Day

The American Medical Association (AMA) honors the more than 900,000 physicians in the U.S. on National Doctor?s Day, March 30, for their commitment to the nation?s health. March 28, 2008

Media advisory: AMA National Advocacy Conference highlights

Physicians make House Call on Congress, rally April 2 at 10 a.m. March 27, 2008

Medicare's immediate and long-term problems demand Congressional attention

Once again, Medicare's Trustees have rung the alarm bell that the long-term fiscal solvency of the program is in serious trouble. It is critical that lawmakers ensure that Medicare will be a viable safety net for future generations of seniors. March 25, 2008

New poll shows public worried about Medicare cuts impact on seniors, boomers -- wants Congress to act

Eight out of 10 Americans are concerned about access to care for seniors' and baby boomers because of government cuts to physicians caring for Medicare patients, according to a new public poll released today by the AMA. March 19, 2008

AMA cheers new Senate bill to stop Medicare physician cuts

"New legislation introduced by Senator Stabenow is the critical ingredient needed to save seniors' access to care as it stops this year's harsh Medicare payment cut to physicians." March 14, 2008

New educational effort launched on genetic testing for dosing a common blood thinner

A new educational effort focused on improving the safety and reducing the complications of a life-saving heart drug was launched today by the AMA and the Critical Path Institute, as part of an ongoing program to support personalized medicine. March 12, 2008

Congress' Medicare advisory commission says stop Medicare cuts to physicians

"Today, Congress' advisory committee on Medicare goes to Capitol Hill to advise lawmakers to replace Medicare payment cuts to physicians with increases that reflect medical practice costs." March 11, 2008

AMA welcomes new Vice President for Government Affairs

The American Medical Association is pleased to announce that Cynthia Brown, a highly respected advocate for physicians, will join the organization as the Vice President of Government Affairs. April 18, 2008

Solving life-and-death dilemmas during disasters

New York state developed new model guidelines for addressing this ethical and clinical dilemma when allocating limited ventilators... March 10, 2008

AMA asks patients: Do you know what's in your medicine cabinet?

To help mark National Patient Safety Awareness Week, the AMA is calling on patients to be an active partner in their own health care. March 3, 2008

AMA president diagnosed with serious form of cancer

The AMA today announced that President Ron Davis, MD, has informed members of the Board of Trustees that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Feb. 29, 2008

AMA concurs with MedPAC; Medicare should pay physicians based on practice costs

"Once again, Congress' own advisory committee on Medicare has called for Congress to update payments to physicians to reflect medical practice cost increases in order to ensure that seniors' have continued access to physician care." Feb. 29, 2008

AMA Foundation announces Seed Grant Research recipients

Established in 2001, the program provides $2,500 grants to medical students, physician residents and fellows to conduct basic science, applied, or clinical research projects. Feb. 27, 2008

AMA denounces erosion of insurer competition

"The conditional approval granted by Department of Justice for the acquisition of Sierra Health Services will do nothing to block UnitedHealth Group from gaining a stranglehold on the Las Vegas commercial insurance market." Feb. 27, 2008

AMA applauds bill to research links between breast cancer and the environment

"Greater funding for research to better understand the relationship between breast cancer and our environment can help provide valuable information to potentially reduce the incidence of the disease." Feb. 27, 2008

Physicians campaign to cover America's uninsured

Polls consistently cite health care as a top issue in the 2008 election, and the American Medical Association is reaching out to Americans to ensure that they vote with the uninsured in mind. Feb. 21, 2008

AMA Foundation honora Oakland, California physician for volunteerism

Frank E. Staggers, Sr., MD of Oakland, Calif., is a recipient of the 2008 Jack B. McConnell, MD Award for Excellence in Volunteerism. Feb. 19, 2008

AMA Foundation honors Memphis, Tennessee physician for increasing access to health care in the U.S.

G. Scott Morris, MD, MDiv, of Memphis, Tenn., is a recipient of the 2008 Pride in the Profession Awards. Feb. 19, 2008

AMA Foundation honors Canton, Ohio physician for increasing access to health care in the U.S.

Murli Manohar, MD, PhD, FACP, of Canton, Ohio, is a recipient of the 2008 Pride in the Profession Awards. Feb. 19, 2008

AMA Foundation honors Atlanta physician for increasing access to health care in the U.S.

Joyce D. Kirkland Essien, MD, MBA, of Atlanta, is a recipient of the 2008 Pride in the Profession Awards. Feb. 19, 2008

AMA Foundation honors Anaheim, California physician for international service

Subramaniam Balasubramaniam, MD, a physician from Anaheim, Calif., is the recipient of the 2008 Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine. Feb. 19, 2008

AMA Foundation honors compassionate physicians with Excellence in Medicine Awards

The AMA Foundation honored six physicians with awards representing the highest ideals of medical service in providing care to underserved and needy patients. Feb. 19, 2008

AMA Foundation honors Wooster, Ohio physician for volunteerism

Viola Startzman, MD of Wooster, Ohio is a recipient of the 2008 Jack B. McConnell, MD Award for Excellence in Volunteerism. Feb. 19, 2008

AMA: Blue Cross California cannot ask physicians to police patients

"The foundation of the patient-physician relationship is trust, and for health insurers to implement policies forcing doctors to break this trust and police patients is wrong." Feb. 13, 2008

AMA commends N.Y. investigation of health insurers

"The investigation launched today by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo calls into question the validity of a system that health insurers have used for years to reimburse physicians and their enrolled members." Feb. 13, 2008

AMA advocates for provisions to help med students and residents in higher ed reauthorization bill

In an effort to aid medical students and residents with their high debt-burden and make sure there are enough young physicians to serve our aging population, the AMA successfully secured a number of provisions in the higher education reauthorization bill... Feb. 13, 2008

Research continues to prove that medical liability reforms work

New research on medical liability reforms continues to show that caps on non-economic damages are effective, lowering medical liability premiums, resulting in an increased supply of physicians to care for patients. Feb. 5, 2008

In advance of the Presidential State of the Union Address: AMA on the state of health care

The AMA, through its national health care policy agenda, has identified the priority health issues facing our nation, and calls on Congress, the Administration, and candidates for national office to support proposals that will help improve the health care system. Jan. 24, 2008

AMA calls on tobacco to be regulated by FDA

"The AMA is concerned that the federal government received failing grades for its tobacco control legislation and policies." Jan. 10, 2008

AMA releases new guide to preventing and treating heart disease

Heart disease is the most deadly disease in the United States, accounting for nearly one-third of deaths. Jan. 9, 2008

AMA uninsured campaign kicks into high gear with national advertising

The AMA kicked off the second phase of its Voice For The Uninsured campaign today with a multi-million dollar broadcast, print and online advertising buy. Jan. 8, 2008

Medicare physician payment cut halted for 6 months, future uncertain for patients and physicians

It is extremely disappointing that after all the hard work in the House earlier this year to replace two years of Medicare physician payment cuts with increases that would help physicians keep up with medical practice costs, the final action passed by the House and Senate stops the cut for just six months, which creates uncertainty for both Medicare patients and physicians. Dec. 19, 2007

AMA statement on Medicare package, SCHIP renewal in Senate

The AMA appreciates the work by Senators Reid, McConnell, Kyl, Baucus, Grassley and Stabenow to secure passage of legislation to replace a 10.1 percent Medicare physician payment cut with a modest increase and to extend expiring rural physician payment provisions. Dec. 18, 2007

AMA: Resolutions for a healthy new you in the New Year

The holiday season is a great opportunity to relax, spend time with family, reflect on the past year, and focus on new goals for the next 12 months. These top resolutions, offered by the American Medical Association (AMA), arm people with the knowledge to become a healthy new you in 2008. Dec. 17, 2007

States need to spend more time to help smokers quit

At a time when a growing number of states and communities are going smoke-free, states are still not doing enough to help smokers quit. Dec. 12, 2007

AMA commends independent health for joining industry shift on physician performance measurement

The American Medical Association is committed to improving the quality of health care, and initiatives that measure and compare physician performance represent potential quality improvement tools when properly implemented. Dec. 12, 2007

AMA urges immediate FDA action to reduce excess salt in food

In an effort to reduce the burden of heart disease and stroke, the American Medical Association (AMA) today testified to the Food and Drug Administration urging immediate action to reduce excess salt in food. Nov. 29, 2007

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