Health Reform Essay

The American Medical Association (AMA) has been a supporter of the Affordable Care Act. This health reform has given coverage to over 30 million Americans (AMA). â€Å"We continue to support the health reform law as an important first step in covering the uninsured and transforming our health care system, and we are working hard to make improvements in the law for patients and physicians,† said Dr. Jeremy A. Lazarus, incoming president of the AMA (AMA). Physicians have asked why the AMA has supported the health care reform bill so early is the process. Dr. James Rohack, the president of the AMA, has stated â€Å"there are several sensible reasons for this strategy: †¢The original bill contained a core set of high-priority provisions that our organization has long supported; †¢Bill sponsors were not likely to maintain the $230+ billion investment in Medicare physician spending if we did not register support for the bill (hospitals, the home health sector, Medicare Ad vantage plans and pharmaceutical companies are all facing cuts in the tens and hundreds of billions of dollars); and †¢As early supporters, we are well positioned to help shape revisions to this bill, as well as the final legislation that will ultimately be presented to the President.† The AMA is working with Congress and Administrators to ensure the best outcome for patients and physicians. This reform has promised goals that the AMA is working on to make sure they are achieved. These goals are as stated by the House of Represantives, †¢Extending coverage to the uninsured †¢Making investments in the physician workforce †¢Providing long-term relief from Medicare’s flawed physician payment formula †¢Increasing the nation’s focus on preventive care and wellness initiatives †¢Simplifying administrative burdens for patients and physicians Although working to ensure these goals are met, this organization also has three other goals they are working to achieve. These goals are 1) Eliminate IPAB, 2) Replace SGR, and 3) Enact MLR. (AMA). The AMA is fighting to eliminate cuts to physicians and providers. They want to achieve a new system of payment. With this new system physicians can be rewarded for the care they provide. (AMA). Goal three has the AMA fighting to fix the liability system for patients and physicians. (AMA). In time, the Affordable Care Act bill will be worked out to where it will run smoothly. During this process the AMA will ensure that the legislative process will continue to better health care for Americans. References Rohack, J. (2009, July). AMA Comments On Health Care Reform Position. In Clinical & Practice management. Retrieved February 10, 2013, from www.acep.org The Affordable Care Act: An Important First Step. (2012). In Advocacy. Retrieved February 10, 2013, from www.ama-assn.org japsen, b. (2012, June 14). The AMA, A Key Backer of Obamacare, Looks to Reboot. Retrieved February 10, 2013, from www.forbes.com