AMA Pleased with Bush Re-election; Looks Forward to Pushing Forward Medical Liability Reform

The American Medical Association (AMA) voiced pleasure in the re-election of President George W. Bush on Wednesday.

In a statement, John Nelson, AMA president, remarked:

“The American Medical Association today congratulates President George W. Bush on his successful bid for another four years as President of the United States. We look forward to continuing to work with President Bush in the months and years ahead to address critical health issues, including medical liability reform, Medicare and covering the uninsured. “President Bush has been a tenacious and outspoken advocate for medical liability reform, the AMA’s number one legislative priority. We look forward to working with President Bush to fix America’s broken liability system that is severely jeopardizing patients’ access to care. In 2004, many states passed liability reform legislation and ballot measures. We need national medical liability reform to ensure that all America’s patients have access to the physicians and health care they need. Public polls show that nearly three-quarters of Americans agree.

“We are committed to working with the President and Congress to implement recently enacted Medicare enhancements. We are also eager to work with Congress and President Bush to address the flawed Medicare payment formula that threatens to put seniors’ access to care at risk.

“There is no question that we must find a solution to the problem of the uninsured in America. Research shows that the health consequences for Americans without insurance can be devastating. The AMA is committed to working with President Bush to expand coverage to the uninsured by building on the strengths of our current system.

“America’s medical care is the envy of the world. We are committed to working with President Bush and Congress to make improvements in our health care system so that every American will have access to the highest quality health care on earth.” http://www.usnewswire.com

CONTACT: Brenda L. Craine of the American Medical Association, 202-789-7447