The American Medical Association is at a crossroads, if an article in today's edition of Politico is any indication. The association appears to be losing influence on Capitol Hill, thanks in part to an unwavering position on the "doc fix" issue and a stance in favor of healthcare reform. Add to that a decline in overall membership, coupled with the rising popularity of other medical lobbying groups--such as the American Hospital Association--and it's easy to see why some on the Hill are of the opinion that the AMA is "shooting [itself] in the foot." 

"The irony is that individual doctors garner a great deal of respect among the public and on the Hill--as demonstrated by how hard the White House worked to win their support for the reform law," the article reads. "But that respect doesn't transfer to the doctors' organized lobby." 

For example one doctor--Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas)--told Politico that while he has ideas for amendments to health reform that would reverse the sustainable growth rate formula and create stronger malpractice reform, his affiliation with the AMA has been a roadblock to having his voice heard. 

"[I]t was very difficult for me to get votes on my amendments," Burgess said. "It was the chairman [of the House Energy and Commerce Committee--Rep. Henry Waxman] telling me my amendments are not necessary because my AMA has already signed off on this bill." 

Former lobbyist Julius Hobson, now of law firm Polsinelli Shughart, also believes the group needs to allow itself some compromise with regards to issues like the doc fix. "[Y]ou go for the longest you're going to get," Hobson told Politico. "Sometimes, interest groups decide, 'This is what I want, and I'm going to die for it.' And that's in effect what's happening." 

Even some Fierce readers have, in the past, weighed in. Narayanachar S. Murali, MD, a gastroenterologist based out of South Carolina, called the AMA a "thorn [in] the side of practicing doctors" in a comment to one of our stories last month. "If they want to be an advocacy group for practicing physicians, they need to change almost everything they are doing now," Murali said. "[D]octors who have the keenest business sense ought to be paid well for their advisory roles. Otherwise you get burnt-out old physicians from universities, or about-to-retire doctors from large group practices as the leaders." 

So, in what direction do you feel the AMA is heading? Write to us and let us know. 

For more information:
- check out the Politico piece

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