So what else has the American Medical Assn. been up to?

Its members began their week by listening patiently Monday (meaning they booed once, but also gave several standing ovations) to President Obama's plans for the nation's health system.

That story: "Obama calls cost of healthcare a threat to economy"

The group has been less than enamored with proposals for a large public health insurance plan, and the president's speech at the annual conference has been much discussed. Here's a synopsis of their differing opinions from Top of the Ticket: "Obama tells AMA about healthcare plans."

But after that arguable high point, the group gamely proceeded with the rest of its annual conference. And its members came up with these notable, though perhaps-not-so-bold, statements:

There was this: "The AMA passed policy today [Monday] that recognizes breast cancer as a condition that affects males as well as females and supports education about the risks, signs, and symptoms of male breast cancer."

And this: "Today [also Monday], the AMA passed policy to inform physicians, policy makers and the public of the current scientific evidence on the use of hormones for anti-aging. Proponents of any hormone or other substance for anti-aging have the responsibility to prove that claims are scientifically valid." I'm with them on this one. The other one too actually.

And this: "Health care organizations, such as medical schools and hospitals, can serve as role models and educators on the importance of adopting a healthier and more sustainable food system. This is according to new policy passed today [Tuesday] at the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Annual Meeting." Again, hard to argue with.

Ah, yes, and, finally, this today:

"As the American Medical Association (AMA) works for health reform this year that provides all Americans with affordable, high-quality health coverage, new policy states that the AMA 'support health system reform alternatives that are consistent with AMA principles of pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of practice, and universal access for patients.' ”

Whether you agree or disagree, the language is, again, not so bold. But better than a poke in the eye, I suppose.

Here's the Associated Press' take: "Doctors signal they'll work with Obama"

As writer Lindsey Tanner says: "While the Obama administration would have preferred a strong endorsement, the vote by American Medical Association doctors is a victory of sorts for the White House and the group will continue to be a player in the health care reform efforts."

-- Tami Dennis

Photo credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[KLMDiego]

It's important to note that the physicians at the AMA meeting DID NOT boo the President of the United States. They boo'ed the President's reluctance to give physicians meaningful, lasting relief in medical malpractice. As much as physicians worry about increased interference by government in the physician-patient relationship, they find the fear of malpractice and the rapidly rising malpractice insurance fees to be even more of a threat to their ability to practice medicine. Perhaps the boo reported by the press was more of a groan at the prospect of years upon years more of forced early retirement, closing of medical practices, inability to say "I'm sorry", frivolous lawsuits and rapidly rising malpractice insurance premiums?

[Laure]

I agree with KLMDiego. The overabundance of lawsuits that we see in the US do not only contribute to higher malpractice insurance. They also cause doctors to recommend extra tests/procedure because they are scared of missing anything. When people talk about the lower health care costs in places such as France, you must remember that these countries do not have the same number of lawsuits (by a large margin) that the US does.

[jacksmith]

AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!

It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.

STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.

And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.

Progressive democrats and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and demand that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).

Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.

In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!

Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!

God Bless You

Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS

[KLMDiego]

It's funny, but I can swear that I've seen Jacksmith's same posting on other sites. Cut and paste, I presume?

"In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died"

CDC guidelines indicate that those with probable swine flu should not even seek medical attention unless the symptoms are severe enough for hospitalization. Please do not tell people that they will die if they don't have medical care in 3 days.