AMA vision on health care reform

The AMA has long advocated for health insurance coverage for all Americans, as well as pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of practice and universal access for patients.

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The same core principles and priorities will guide future AMA advocacy efforts regarding health care reform proposals that are central to our mission of improving public health.

Taking steps forward to cover the uninsured

As millions of Americans have gained coverage resulting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), progress has been made on a long-standing policy priority of the AMA—expanding access to and choice of affordable, quality health insurance coverage. Instead of abandoning the ACA and threatening the stability of coverage for those individuals who are generally satisfied with their coverage, the AMA believes that now is the time to invest not only in fixing the law, but also in improving it.

Find out how the ACA should be improved, and why improving the ACA is preferable to pursuing Medicare-for-All:

• 2024 and beyond: AMA's plan to cover the uninsured (PDF)

Physician organizations defend patient insurance coverage

AMA and other physician organizations file an amicus brief in response to the Texas vs. the United States court case that would undermine patient protections.

2017 health care reform objectives

The AMA views the discussions about the future of health reform through its mission dedicated to the betterment of public health, medical ethics, scientific evidence and long-standing policies adopted by representatives from over 190 physician organizations.

In 2017, we released a summary of the AMA health reform objectives and the following are highlights of the key elements that will guide the AMA in discussions with Congress and the Trump Administration.

• Continue efforts to cover the uninsured, and ensure that any future proposals do not cause individuals covered as a result of Affordable Care Act provisions to become uninsured.
• Maintain key insurance market reforms, such as pre-existing conditions, guaranteed issue and parental coverage for young adults.
• Stabilize and strengthen the individual insurance market.
• Ensure that low/moderate income patients are able to secure affordable and adequate coverage.
• Ensure that Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other safety net programs are adequately funded.
• Reduce regulatory burdens that detract from patient care and increase costs.
• Provide greater cost transparency throughout the health care system.
• Incorporate common sense medical liability reforms.
• Continue the advancement of delivery reforms and new physician-led payment models to achieve better outcomes, higher quality and lower spending trends.

Explore further resources on these objectives:

• AMA’s next steps for health reform (PDF)
• AMA vision on health reform (PDF)
• Key AMA policies related to health reform (PDF)
• The American Medical Association and Health System Reform, 2007-2019 (PDF)
• Council on Medical Service reports:
  • Council on Medical Service reports on coverage and choice
  • Council on Medical Service reports on Medicare & Medicaid
  • Council on Medical Services reports on delivery reform

  Table of Contents

  1. Taking steps forward to cover the uninsured
  2. Physician organizations defend patient insurance coverage
  3. 2017 health care reform objectives