Medical Association Backs Health System Reform

LINDSEY TANNER

HOUSTON (AP) — The American Medical Association on Monday rebuffed dissident members and voted to stick with support for ongoing health reform efforts, while reiterating wariness over proposals that threaten doctors' pocketbooks and independence.

The action at the group's semiannual meeting in Houston could be seen as a vote of confidence for AMA leaders who voiced support for the $1.2-trillion, 10-year bill the U.S. House passed Saturday.

Several dissident doctor organizations within the AMA had urged the group to reverse its position and come out with a strong statement opposing Democrat-led reform efforts. Some urged the AMA's 544-member House of Delegates to vote to oppose any health overhaul that includes a public insurance option and Medicare payment cuts to doctors, and that excludes tort reform.

Discussions about the proposed resolutions spurred a lengthy debate Sunday that went on for more than eight hours.

However, during a two-hour discussion Monday, delegates — physician members who set AMA policy — voted instead to follow the more moderate path chosen by AMA's leaders including its president, Dr. James Rohack. Delegates adopted a health reform statement similar to one approved at their annual meeting in June, after President Barack Obama came to Chicago to seek AMA approval for his health reform agenda.