As part of the American Medical Association’s (AMA) National Advocacy Conference, nearly 300 medical students and resident physicians converged on Capitol Hill on February 13, 2007, for Lobby Day. While visiting with more than 200 members of Congress, resident and fellow physicians urged legislators to:
• Expand healthcare coverage for all Americans • Preserve access to care for seniors by reforming the Medicare physician payment system • Pass effective reforms to help ease the debt burden incurred through medical education.
The expansion of healthcare coverage to all Americans is a top priority for the AMA thanks, in part, to the efforts of resident and fellow physicians. While meeting with members of Congress, resident and fellow physicians shared the challenges of caring for uninsured patients and voiced their support for the AMA’s plan to ensure access to care for all Americans through income-based tax credits. Furthermore, residents and fellows encouraged legislators to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. This important program protects the health of 6 million children whose parents work but cannot afford health insurance.
The initiative to reform Medicare’s physician payment system was also a focal point in discussions with legislators on Capitol Hill. Resident and fellow physicians asked congressional members to stop next year’s payment cut, which could force some physicians to decrease or stop seeing new Medicare patients.
Also having an impact on access to care is medical school debt. The high cost of medical education often affects graduates’ career choices, forcing them away from practicing medicine in underserved areas or from practicing primary care medicine. Residents and fellows called on Congress to help ease the educational debt incurred by medical students, which often exceeds $130,000 per student.
Lobby Day was held in conjunction with the National Advocacy Conference, the Leadership Awards Program, and the Resident and Fellow Section Governing Council meeting. These events continue the AMA’s mission of incorporating advocacy for healthcare into the practice of medicine.
Raj Ambay, MD, DDS Chair-Elect, Governing Council American Medical Association Resident and Fellow Section
American Medical Association-Resident and Fellow Section, 2006-2007 Governing Council
Sunny Ramchandani, MD, MPH, Chair Kelly Caverzagie, MD,Vice Chair Douglas Che Miller, MD, Secretary David Rosman, MD,Delegate Kimberly Ruscher, MD,Alternate Delegate Seemal Desai, MD,Member-at-Large Kusum Punjabi, MD,Member-at-Large Samantha Cramoy, MD,Resident Trustee Jon Fanning,Director Department of Resident and Fellow Services
“Code Blue” is prepared by the Resident and Fellow Section of the AMA. Unless specifically indicated, its articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the policy of the AMA or the opinions of the editors or the publisher of Resident & Staff Physician. This newsletter is contained in Resident & Staff Physician solely as a service to residents. The journal is not in any way involved in deciding the content of “Code Blue.” All questions, suggestions, or requests for additional information should be sent to the AMA Department of Resident and Fellow Services, 515 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610, or phone 312/464-4751. The American Medical Association-Resident and Fellow Section (AMA-RFS) is this nation’s strongest voice for residents and their patients. Visit our Web page at www.ama-assn.org/gorfs To join or renew your membership, call the AMA-RFS at 800/AMA-3211.
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Code Blue from the Resident and Fellow Section of the AMA
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