The American Medical Association is launching an effort aimed at getting the provider community involved in healthcare reform on the Hill.
The physician association Monday rolled out an interactive website, pateintsbeforepolitics.org, which provides a way for clinicians and patients to contact Congress members via email, phone and social media. The website is also intended to be a resource for updated information on healthcare reform. The AMA also plans to add interactive educational resources, such as a build-your-own reform proposal tool.
"Putting patients first is at the heart of everything we do as physicians. That's why we are committed to working with leadership in both parties to improve health insurance coverage and healthcare access so that patients receive timely, high-quality care, preventive services, medications and other necessary treatments," AMA President Andrew Gurman, MD, said in a statement announcing the website launch. "This new website will equip physicians and patients around the country with the information and tools they need so they can join us in urging Congress to put patients before politics and ensure every American has access to affordable, meaningful coverage and high-quality healthcare."
The website appears to be a counteraction against the American Health Care Act legislation put forth by Republicans last week. The AMA publicly denounced the AHCA, largely because it would cause a significant drop in health insurance coverage.
In a letter to leaders in Congress last week, AMA CEO and Executive Vice President James Madara, MD, wrote, "As you consider this legislation over the coming days and weeks, we hope that you will keep upmost in your mind the potentially life-altering impact your decisions will have on millions of Americans who may see their public, individual or even employer-provided healthcare coverage changed or eliminated."
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