REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
B of T Report 27 - A-04
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Subject:
Specialty Society Representation in the House of Delegates –
Five-Year Review
Presented by:
William G. Plested, III, MD, Chair
Referred to:
Reference Committee on Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws
(Mary W. Geda, MD, Chair)
The Board of Trustees has completed its review of the specialty organizations seated in the
House of Delegates scheduled to submit information and materials at the 2004 American
Medical Association (AMA) Annual Meeting in compliance with the five-year review process
directed by the House in Report A of the Council on Long Range Planning and Development
(A-87) (Policy H-600.020, AMA Policy Database, and Section 8.50 of the AMA Bylaws).
Organizations are required to demonstrate continuing compliance with the guidelines
established for admission to the House of Delegates. Also required is compliance with the five
responsibilities of national medical specialty organizations as set out in the AMA policy
statement and section 8.70 of the AMA Bylaws.
The following organizations were reviewed for the 2004 Annual Meeting:
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
American Association for Thoracic Surgery
American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
American Association of Plastic Surgeons
American Association of Public Health Physicians
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American College of Physician Executives
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.
American Society of Hematology
Association of University Radiologists
The organizations were asked to submit materials in a format listing the guidelines/
requirements followed by the organization's explanation of compliance. Each organization also
submitted appropriate membership information. A summary of each group's membership data
is attached to this report. Also attached is a summary of the guidelines for specialty admission
to the House along with the five responsibilities of specialty organizations represented in the
House.
B of T Rep. 27 - A-04 -- page 2
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The material submitted indicates the reviewed organizations continue to meet all guidelines and
are in compliance with the five requirements of specialty organizations represented in the
House.
In addition to the organizations scheduled for their regular 5-year review, the American Society
of Addiction Medicine was previously given a one-year grace period to correct its membership
and is scheduled for a second review at the 2004 Annual Meeting. The second review indicates
that the American Society of Addiction Medicine is compliant with all guidelines (including
minimum AMA membership) for admission to the House and the five requirements of specialty
organizations represented in the House.
The Board of Trustees recommends:
1.
That the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Association for Thoracic
Surgery, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, American Association of
Plastic Surgeons, American Association of Public Health Physicians, American College of
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American College of Physician Executives, American
Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc., American Society of Addiction Medicine,
American Society of Hematology, and Association of University Radiologists retain
representation in the AMA House of Delegates. (Directive to take action)
2.
That the remainder of this report be filed.
Fiscal Note: $0
B of T Rep. 27 - A-04 -- page 3
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SUMMARY MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
AMA MEMBERSHIP OF SOCIETY
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP
272 (53%) of 509
American Association for Thoracic Surgery
414 (45%) of 922
American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
1,162 (40%) of 2,882
American Association of Plastic Surgeons
258 (45%) of 575
American Association of Public Health Physicians*
75 (64%) of 117
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
676 (42%) of 1,624
American College of Physician Executives
3,716 (42%) of 8,894
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.
574 (37%) of 1,557
American Society of Addiction Medicine
668 (36%) of 1,851
American Society of Hematology
1,277 (24%) of 5,319
Association of University Radiologists
262 (35%) of 744
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*Seated in House of Delegates prior to 1990 and therefore exempt from the minimum of 250
AMA members requirement.
B of T Rep. 27 - A-04 -- page 4
SUMMARY OF GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION TO THE HOUSE
A.
The organization must not be in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the American
Medical Association (AMA) by discriminating in membership on the basis of race, religion,
national origin, sex, or handicap.
B.
The organization must (a) represent a field of medicine that has recognized scientific
validity; and (b) not have board certification as its primary focus, and (c) not require
membership in the specialty organization as a requisite for board certification.
C.
The organization must meet at least one of the following guidelines:
(1)
A specialty organization must demonstrate that it has 1,000 or more AMA
members; or
(2)
A specialty organization must demonstrate that it has a minimum of 250 AMA
members and that thirty-five percent (35%) of its physician members who are
eligible for AMA membership are members of the AMA; or
(3)
A specialty organization must demonstrate that it was represented in the House of
Delegates at the 1990 Annual Meeting and that thirty-five percent (35%) of its
physician members who are eligible for AMA membership are members of the
AMA.
D.
The organization must be established and stable; therefore it must have been in existence for
at least five years prior to submitting its application.
E.
Physicians should comprise the majority of the voting membership of the organization.
F.
The organization must have a voluntary membership and must report as members only those
who are current in payment of dues, have full voting privileges and are eligible to hold
office.
G.
The organization must be active within its field of medicine and hold at least one meeting of
its members per year.
H.
The organization must be national in scope. It must not restrict its membership
geographically and must have members from a majority of the states.
I.
The organization must submit a resolution or other official statement to show that the
request is approved by the governing body of the organization.
J.
If international, the organization must have a U.S. branch or chapter, and this chapter must
be reviewed in terms of all of the above guidelines.
B of T Rep. 27 - A-04 -- page 5
RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATIONAL MEDICAL SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS
1.
To cooperate with the AMA in increasing its AMA membership.
2.
To keep its delegate to the House of Delegates fully informed on the policy positions of the
organization so that the delegate can properly represent the organization in the House of
Delegates.
3.
To require its delegate to report to the organization on the actions taken by the House of
Delegates at each meeting.
4.
To disseminate to its membership information as to the actions taken by the House of
Delegates at each meeting.
5.
To provide information and data to the AMA when requested.