AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution: 114
(A-05)
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Introduced by:
Massachusetts Delegation
Subject:
Crisis Commission on the State of Health Care in America
Referred to:
Reference Committee A
(Alfred Herzog, MD, Chair)
Whereas, The critical state of health care in the United States continues to worsen, and in
response our American Medical Association has stated that the following issues are the
strategic priorities of our organization:
 Medical liability reform
 Medicare physician payment reform
 Expanding coverage for the uninsured and increasing access to care
 Improving public health
 Managed care reform
 Clinical quality improvement and patient safety; and
Whereas, In addition to the varied fields of medicine, these priorities cover a multitude of
disciplines including government, law, economics, business, and ethics, it is therefore
necessary to marshal representatives from all sectors of those who participate in the delivery of
health care and public policy; and
Whereas; To accomplish such a task the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) Delegation to
the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) has made numerous attempts to raise the
issue to such an emergency level, in order to incite our AMA to act on this dire situation facing
all Americans by congregating our nation’s leaders to focus on the crisis at hand; and
Whereas, This process began with the AMA-OMSS June 2002 assembly meeting, where the
MMS-OMSS Delegation offered a resolution calling for the AMA to support convening a national
forum designed to systematically evaluate, coordinate, and fund health care in the United
States; the AMA-OMSS instructed its Delegate to amend House of Delegates Resolution 110
(A-02) to add a 3rd Resolve; House Resolution 110 was referred and assigned to the Council on
Medical Service; the council reevaluated the AMA position in CMS Report 8 (I-02), leaving the
resolution relatively unchanged; and
Whereas, Additional grassroots efforts resulted in a subsequent resolution being submitted to
our AMA-OMSS Assembly; the submission of Resolution 131 (A-04) to the House; and BOT
Report 12 (I-04); the response of our AMA leaders demonstrated thoughtful and comprehensive
reporting and is appreciated by our delegation; however, we respectfully request to address the
issue once again, this time from a different perspective; and
Whereas, The grave problems and sorrowful inequities still exist in our health care system, and
although well-intentioned, current AMA policy and stances have not yet resulted in a systemic
solution to this crisis, and we feel that the AMA should reevaluate its position; and
Resolution: 114 (A-05)
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Whereas, We not only need the support of physicians in organized medicine to adopt policies
that might offer more successful outcomes, but we must engage the many others who will bring
their experience and expertise to the table; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association take a leading role and by any and all
means, advocate for the creation of a collaborative and ongoing Crisis Commission on the State
of Health Care in America, with the Commission to be launched by convening a national Summit
on the Crisis in Health Care, assembling thought leaders to formulate strategies and seek
implementation beginning with:
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Developing a mission statement as the foundation of the Commission, which would design
and promulgate a rational and fair set of recommendations with respect to access to health
care and the financing of health care.
Advocating for the United States Department of Health and Human Services to take the
lead, and sponsor, convene, and fund this Commission.
Integrating adequate and competent representation from the medical profession and
organized medicine, hospitals, nursing homes, allied health professionals, the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, the insurance industry, the business community,
consumers, the legal profession, and legislative and regulatory officials.
Assuring that the leadership of the Commission, as well as the Summit moderators, consists
of independent and unbiased parties. (Directive to Take Action)
Fiscal Note: Advocate accordingly at estimated staff cost of $9,294.
Received: 5/22/05