A new doctors' group gains momentum to fight Trump

Saying the American Medical Association (AMA) doesn’t represent their views, a new organization started by doctors has gained momentum as they promise to fight President-elect Donald Trump’s healthcare policies.

The advocacy group Clinician Action Network, which jumped into the firestorm created by Trump’s appointment of conservative physician-turned-congressman Tom Price (R-Ga.) as Health and Human Services secretary, has since seen its membership grow, according to The Huffington Post.

The network has grown from an initial membership that included 60 healthcare providers to several hundred people, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, social workers and community members, according to the report.

Its leaders hope to attract more members as they pledge to fight Trump and Republican leaders’ efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Price has been an outspoken critic of the healthcare reform law.

The network landed in the spotlight after the AMA quickly endorsed the nomination of Price, a former orthopedic surgeon and AMA member. Three of the network’s initial members, doctors from the University of Pennsylvania, posted a letter to the AMA titled “The AMA Does Not Speak for Us” and invited fellow physicians to sign it. It now has almost 5,000 signatures, according to the group.

The network wants to help healthcare professionals advocate for policies that protect patients, Manik Chhabra, M.D., who originally signed the letter, told The Huffington Post. 

Price’s appointment will require congressional confirmation. Democrats have signaled they will try to block his nomination.