AMA pushes its issues in Chicago

The American Medical Association held its annual meeting in Chicago over the weekend. Key issues on the table this year for include the task of improving the organization's image, dealing with the specialty hospital issues, and responding to changes in Medicare reimbursement levels. The group also faces potentially divisive controversies involving end-of-life issues and pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions. The AMA's Board of Delegates said it will vote on a proposal to throw the organization's weight behind a proposed moratorium on DTC pharmaceutical advertising.  Delegates also denounced state taxes on cosmetic surgery, warning they could lead to similar taxes on other specialty procedures. New Jersey recently became the first state in the nation to impose a tax on cosmetic surgery.  Several other states, including Illinois, are mulling similar measures.

Overall the AMA is wrestling with its position as the remaining the major physicians' organization in the nation while representing a declining number of physicians.

- see this story from the Chicago Tribune on the DTC moratorium 
- see this story from the Chicago Sun Times on cosmetic surgery

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