AMA stands by individual insurance mandate despite declining membership

The 160th meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates wrapped up yesterday in Chicago, with a new president inducted to lead the organization through what is sure to be another challenging year in healthcare.

In particular, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Peter Carmel will inherit the task of addressing another year of declining membership in the largest, though arguably not the most popular, physician group in the nation. On day two of the meeting, the AMA disclosed that its membership totaled just under 216,000 doctors, down roughly 5 percent from its 228,000 members at the end of 2009. To combat the falling numbers, the AMA said it would explore alternative membership models, as well as organizational changes, including a hybrid concept that would allow direct membership and society membership while maintaining the Association's tax-exempt status, on which it will make a proposal in November. Delegates agreed not to raise dues in 2012.

Although the group is said to have fallen out of favor with many physicians because of its backing of the hugely contentious health insurance mandate provided under health reform, a two-thirds majority of delegates ultimately decided to stand by their position that individuals should be responsible for buying health insurance.

"The AMA reviewed alternatives and concluded that any approach to covering the uninsured that is in line with AMA policy cannot be fully successful in covering the uninsured without individual responsibility for health insurance," stated outgoing AMA president Dr. Cecil Wilson on Monday.

Despite its support of the mandate, the Association also vowed to "achieve needed reforms of the many defects" of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The AMA said it will work toward changes, including repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board, as well as reforms to Medicare physician payment, medical liability, and antitrust rules that bar physicians from collectively bargaining. In addition, the house adopted policy supporting a requirement that all federal healthcare regulatory agencies demonstrate "measurable improved patient outcomes" within three years of implementing a rule.

To learn more:
- read coverage of the AMA 2011 meeting from American Medical News
- see updates from the Chicago Tribune here and here
- check out this post from the Hill's Healthwatch blog

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