Dear Colleague,
I routinely discuss the American Medical Association (AMA) with other physicians. A question I am often asked is why I take the time to be involved with a group of conservative old docs who are only interested in their pocketbooks. I dispute this suggestion on many grounds. Consider the role of the AMA in each of the following cases:

Do you know who pays for your training? Medicare and Medicaid are the source of 74% of the annual funding for graduate medical education (GME). Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed a rule change that would eliminate federal matching fund payments for state Medicaid GME reimbursements. If implemented, this rule change could devastate residency programs across the country. Who is fighting against this rule change? The AMA.

Where are your patients going when they can't get to you? There is a recent trend in the emergence of store- or retail-based health clinics. Since the introduction of these clinics, physicians have been asking many questions. Why are insurers giving special treatment to clinics by allowing waiver of copayments? Who is overseeing the work of the nurse practitioners and physician assistants staffing these clinics? What regulations do these clinics have to comply with, and are they being held to the same standards as other clinics and offices? Who is fighting to make sure our patients who go to these clinics receive safe care? The AMA.

What will happen if SCHIP funding goes away? President Bush has been promising to veto bills that offer funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIPs). Many of our patients would have no health insurance coverage without SCHIP. As part of the strategy to cover the uninsured, the AMA and the AARP aired a jointly produced television ad in 18 markets across the country urging support for the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act. The television spot can be viewed at ondemand.streamernet.net/amamedia/facts.wmv. Who is fighting in Washington to continue and even to increase SCHIP funding? Again, the AMA.

Uniting for Better Healthcare and Medical Education

The AMA is dedicated to improving the health of the public, protecting and improving medical education, and uniting physicians in these endeavors. Twice a year, residents and fellows join physicians from across geographic and specialty areas in the AMA House of Delegates to work for consensus on the issues facing our patients and our profession.

When I attend these House of Delegates meetings, I see quite a different organization from the one described above. I see a vibrant, diverse group of physicians who are passionate about comprehensive healthcare system reform, including covering the uninsured. The issues described here are only a few of the hundreds of matters considered at the recent AMA House of Delegates meeting. All these issues affect residents and fellows—either directly or through our patients. As residents and fellows, we have a voice on these issues—through the AMA Resident and Fellow Section (RFS). The policy making process and leadership opportunities of the RFS give you the power to create change; these are some of the most unique and powerful privileges of AMA membership.

AMA-RFS Research Poster Session: Honolulu, Hawaii

The AMA-RFS 4th Annual Research Poster Symposium will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, in November. Join us in Hawaii to present your research in 1 of 4 areas:

1. Basic science
2. Clinical medical
3. Public health/health policy
4. Clinical vignettes.

Poster Symposium winners receive a plaque, monetary award, and/ or a trip to the 2008 Annual Meeting. For details, visit www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/12769.html.

Leadership Opportunities: Sectional Delegates, Governing Council Chair-Elect of the AMA-RFS

As a Delegate or Alternate Delegate, you will caucus with your endorsing society, testify on important issues, and represent the voice of residents and fellows in the AMA House of Delegates. Ten Sectional Delegates and 10 Alternate Delegates will be elected at the AMA-RFS Interim Assembly meeting, November 8th through November 10th, in Hawaii. The term is 1 year. To apply, visit www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/189.html.

The Chair-Elect of the AMA-RFS Governing Council will also be elected at the Interim Meeting in Hawaii. This position has a 2-year commitment; 6 months as Chair-Elect, 1 year as Chair, and 6 months as Immediate Past Chair. You receive mentoring from the current AMA-RFS Governing Council Chair to learn about agenda setting, leadership of Governing Council meetings, Section representation at outside meetings, and working with staff to accomplish the goals and objectives of our members and the RSF. To apply, visit www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/189.html.

Channel Your Passion for Change Through Politics and the Media

Through the AMA, you can get up close and personal with the political process of organized medicine by participating in a 2-week legislative internship in Washington, DC, working side-by-side with the AMA Washington, DC, office. If changing the face of media-produced medical education interests you, apply for the Discovery Health rotation, where you will develop continuing medical education programs for Discovery Health. To find out more about these and other exciting opportunities, sign up for the AMA-RFS listserv at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/7091.html. Applications and information for all AMA grants and awards are available at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/5754.html.

Kimberly Ruscher, MD
Delegate, AMA House of Delegates
Resident and Fellow Section
Governing Council