Part Two – AMA acting like an organized crime family

by faithgibson on May 22, 2024

in Contemporary Childbirth Politics

 

Just how big of a problem is this? Here is the list, so you can see for yourself:


Nurse Practitioners
Nurse-anesthetists
Nurse-midwives
Naturopaths
Optometrists
Physician-assistants
Psychologists
Pharmacists
Physical therapists
Podiatrists
By my count, the only categories of practitioners that so far are not on this list by the AMA (but still smack in the middle of their crosshairs) are chiropractors, acupuncturists, dietitians, x-ray technicians and licensed (non-nurse) midwives.
Below is a copy of the AMA’s House House of Delegates’ first anti-MD practitioner resolutions from 2006:

H-160.949 – Practicing Medicine by Non-Physicians: states that “[o]ur AMA:

(1) urges all people, including physicians and patients, to consider the consequences of any health care plan that places any patient care at risk by substitution of a non-physician in the diagnosis, treatment, education, direction and medical procedures where clear-cut documentation of assured quality has not been carried out, and where such alters the traditional pattern of practice in which the physician directs and supervises the care given;

(4) continues to encourage state medical societies to oppose state legislation allowing non-physician groups to engage in the practice of medicine without physician (MD, DO) training or appropriate physician (MD, DO) supervision; and

(5) through legislative and regulatory efforts, vigorously support and advocate for the requirement of appropriate physician supervision of non-physician clinical staff in all areas of medicine. (Res. 317, I-94; Modified by Res. 501, A-97; Appended: Res. 321, I-98; Reaffirmation A-99; Appended: Res. 240, Reaffirmed: Res. 708 and Reaffirmation A-00; Reaffirmed: CME Rep. 1, I-00).”

H-35.973 Scopes of Practice of Physician Extenders

Our AMA supports the formulation of clearer definitions of the scope of practice of physician extenders to include direct appropriate physician supervision and recommended guidelines for physician supervision to ensure quality patient care. (Res. 213, A-02)

H-35.988 Independent Practice of Medicine by “Nurse Practitioners”

The AMA, in the public interest, opposes the enactment of legislation to authorize the independent practice of medicine by any individual who has not completed the state’s requirements for licensure to engage in the practice of medicine and surgery in all of its branches. (Sub. Res. 53, I-82; Reaffirmed: A-84; Reaffirmed: CLRPD Rep. A, I-92; Reaffirmed: BOT Rep. 28, A-03)

H-35.993 Opposition to Direct Medicare Payments for Physician Extenders

Our AMA reaffirms its opposition to any legislation or program which would provide for Medicare payments directly to physician extenders, or payment for physician extender services not provided under the supervision and direction of a physician. (CMS Rep. N, I-77; Reaffirmed: CLRPD Rep. C, A-89; Reaffirmed: Sunset Report, A-00)

The mess that 150 years of AMA-controlled healthcare has wrought

In stark contrast to other wealthy countries, our healthcare system is both dysfunctional AND unproductively expensive — a monopoly crafted over the last 150 years ago by the AMA and maintained by its propaganda. 
Now add the insult to injury that the AMA’s SOPP is perpetrating on non-MD practitioners and ordinary Americans by making independent practice illegal for psychologists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists,  and many other disciplines.

Americans need to know about this and to repeal this monopolist law en masse. It’s the best way to control out-of-control associated with the American medical services delivery system, while dramatically improving the physical, mental, and emotional health of Americans and greatly expanding professional jobs for women of all colors and ethnicities. 

Link to the AMA’s updated online VIctory Letter

AMA successfully fights scope of practice expansions that threaten patient safety

Patients deserve care *led by physicians—the most highly educated, trained, and skilled healthcare professionals. Through research, advocacy, and education, the AMA vigorously defends the practice of medicine against scope of practice expansions that threaten patient safety.

**Faith’s Note — “led by physicians” means that the MD’s office bills the patient, insurance, or Medicare/Medicaid for services provided by non-MDs (i.e., physician-extenders) as if the pt had been seen and cared for by the doctor.

75-plus scope of practice victories in 2019-2020

Over the last two years, the AMA secured over 60 state legislative victories stopping inappropriate scope expansions of non-physicians.
This work was done in strong collaboration with state medical and national specialty societies, including:
  • Nurse Practitioners & independent practice (AR, CA, IL, IN, LA, MS, MT, NJ, OH, TN)
  • Nurse-anesthetists & opt-out of Medicare supervision (CO, MS)
  • Nurse-anesthetists & independent practice (AR, IL, MS)
  • Nurse-midwives & independent practice (NE)
  • Physician assistants & independent practice (IL, LA, ME, MT, NV, OR)
  • Psychologists & independent prescribing of psychotropic medications (CT, FL, HI, IL, MT, NE, VT)
  • Optometrists & surgery (MD, MS, NE, ND, VT)
  • Pharmacists & prescribing (AZ, IA, IL, IN, VT)
  • Naturopaths & licensure (CT, IL, MD, OR)
  • Physical therapists & direct access (AL)
  • Podiatrist & surgery of lower leg (ME)

More than $2 million in grants awarded

The AMA recognizes the importance of the House of Medicine working together, which is why it formed the Scope of Practice Partnership (SOPP) in 2006.
Today, the SOPP is comprised of 105 national, state, and specialty medical associations. The SOPP has awarded more than $2 million in grants to its members to fund advocacy tools and campaigns. 

Produced 100s of tools to fight scope expansion

The AMA is one of the only national organizations that has created more than 100s of advocacy tools for medicine to utilize when fighting scope expansion legislation and regulation including model bills, legislative templates, state laws analyses, issue briefs and more.

Demonstrated scope expansion does not equal expanding access to care

The AMA has created over 1,000 geomaps, along with the Health Workforce Mapper (members-only and non-members versions), to demonstrate that expanding scope does not equal expanding access to care.
For instance, AMA research shows the following:
—Nonphysician providers (such as NPs) are more likely to practice in the same geographic locations as physicians. This is true even in states that allow NPs to practice independently.
—Despite the rising number of NPs across the country, healthcare shortages persist, even in states that allow NPs to practice independently.

Engagement with the FTC and administration

The AMA has proactively engaged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) when necessary and responds to FTC enforcement against state licensure board actions related to scope of practice.
Also, the AMA is working with the administration to preserve physician supervision of non-physician professionals in Medicare.

Launched the AMA Truth in Advertising campaign

The AMA launched the Truth in Advertising campaign, which has been enacted in over 20 states, informing the public about who is and is not a physician. The campaign is designed to ensure patients clearly understand who is providing their health care.

Distributed educational wheels 

The AMA has distributed thousands of “Education Matters” wheels, to legislators and regulators across the country, that compare the education and training of physicians and non-physicians.

Elimination of the APRN multistate licensure compact

After convening states and specialties, the AMA eliminated the 2015 Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Multistate (APRN) Licensure Compact by defeating every proposed state bill over the last two years.
Unlike other healthcare professional Compacts, the APRN Compact would have circumvented state scope of practice laws.   

End of the AMA’s Victory Letter

 

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