AMSA Health Policy Team

02/07/2017

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

Well said.

What you do, what you say, how you say it...matters. We make a difference. #amsaadvocacy #activism #speakout

02/03/2017

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

This just passed the House yesterday and will move on towards the Senate for passage! Please call your senator and make sure that they understand the implications of this rollback! #guns #publichealth #amsaadvocacy #activism #mentalhealth

01/28/2017

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

"Health care reform isn’t about a nameless, faceless “system.” It’s about the millions of lives at stake." Before the ACA, almost 60 million people were underinsured, and lacked adequate care for conditions. The ACA isn't perfect, but it's saved lives, and a repeal without an adequate replacement is reckless and irresponsible. It can be improved. #saveACA #healthcare #healthcareisahumanright #obama #NEJM #ACA #savetheaca #protectourpatients #protectourcare #medicine #patients #healthinsurance

01/17/2017

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

Solidarity.

Our Future. Our Patients. Organize, connect, learn, practice. We are the future of medicine, and here is where you learn to do it all. #amsaadvocacy #amsaconvention2017 #famsa #leadersinmedicine #medschool #medicalschool

https://youtu.be/63NsEz6Mr1k

01/17/2017

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

Confused on next steps? Together, we're stronger. Don't let opportunity pass you by. Here's what you can do. As a collaborative campaign between Clinician Action Network, National Physicians Alliance, AMSA, and Physicians for Reproductive Health, we're making "House Calls for the ACA." For ease, here are the relevant links:

Sign up:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccHUz6hmr7JNsHosMGQGE8ko8R2ygvcyqOWpU_Eay38icGtw/viewform?c=0&w=1

Action Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13VtyowVXsRecQeMVSqB5kHlc9mUWemmVDlvjgPey134/edit

Target Senators:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1X22Mp6f-p09XjlrXFLukwczpAMN6HH-GSbLnOFkuyS0/pubhtml

Leave-Behind Fact sheet:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5610UO7UfrodXRmdERtTE5ZLWM/view

#amsaadvocacy #activism #protectourpatients #clinicianactionnetwork #savetheACA #saveACA

01/16/2017

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

This is where you have to call your GOP Governors who have expanded medicaid to ask their assistnace to GOP Senators. We're looking at specific Senators: Murkowski (AK), Cotton (AR), Paul (KY), Collins (ME), Portman (OH), Alexander (TN), Corker (TN), Toomey (PA), Heller (NV).

Call any Senate members of the Finance Committee or HELP Committee, any Representative members on the Ways and Means Committee or the Energy and Commerce Committee. Higher yield targets: Susan Collins (R-ME), Rand Paul (R-KY), Dean Heller (R-NV), Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

Write an op-ed. Write a Letter to the Editor. We're collaborating with many organizations and coalitions to make this happen. You're not powerless. #amsapower #patientsoverpolitics #protectourpatients #savetheACA

01/10/2017

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

AMSA's Education & Advocacy Fellow

There's a lot going on this week, buried in all that is cabinet nominations including Jeff Sessions - racist for AG. This here's a good way to make an easy action. https://blocktrumpscabinet.com/?phase=stopsessions

11/21/2016

Speaker Paul Ryan's office is conducting a survey hoping to show a popular mandate to repeal the ACA. It's automated and quick. Here's what to do:

1) Call (202) 225 - 0600
2) Wait for recording to start (there will be a long pause)
3) You will get prompted by the survey
4) Press 2 to participate
5) Listen to the GOP message
6) Press 1 to register your support for the ACA

03/06/2015

Supreme Court Appears Sharply Split in Case on Health Law

Supreme Court Appears Sharply Split in Case on Health Law

Oral arguments were Wednesday in a case that will determine whether millions of people will continue to receive health insurance subsidies. The court’s decision is expected by late June.

02/25/2015

Are you participating in the Lobby Day and Rally event tomorrow at AMSA Convention? Watch this short video to get an idea of what lobbying is and why it is important. http://t.co/dTvimPucv4

02/04/2015

Beyond Coverage: Health Care as Public Policy --ACP Health Policy Symposium 2015

For all those Philadelphia/area folks out there interested in Health Policy:

The Student Health Policy Symposium Committee, a joint venture between Temple University School of Medicine and Jefferson Medical College, is pleased to announce the 2015 ACP Health Policy Symposium -- Beyond Insurance: Health Care and Public Policy. Students and speakers will be coming together with the goal of improving pan-Philadelphia medical student understanding of health policy.

Since the 2008 presidential election campaigns, the role of government in health insurance has been consistently in the news. But what about the role of public policy in health care in the broader context? The ACA seeks not only to improve access to reasonable health insurance, but also to reduce costs, improve quality, and improve patient satisfaction -- but what is the responsibility of government in taking an active role determining the course of medical practice and research? When does government overstep its bounds? And how can we, as members of the health care and research communities, best ensure our voice—and that of our patients—is heard in the arena of policy making?

Speakers and topics:
- Current Legislative Issues Impacting Physicians: Dr. Barbara Connors, CMO Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services Region III
- Reproductive Health Law: Professor David Cohen, Earle Mack School of Law
- Student Involvement in Health Policy: Dr. Gregory Kane, ACP Pennsylvania Chapter Southeastern Region Governor
- Health Policy and Ethics: Dr. Nora Jones, Temple University Center for Urban Bioethics and Health Policy

Date and Time: Saturday, February 21st; 9am - 2:30pm

Location: Temple University School of Medicine; 3500 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia

Registration: FREE! Please visit the following link for registration and additional information: http://tinyurl.com/ACPSymposium

The Student Health Policy Symposium Committee intends for this event to be a discussion about the overlap and entanglement of physicians, patients, policy and its makers -- all political and social opinions are welcomed and valued. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

Since the 2008 Presidential Election, the role of government in health insurance has consistently been in the news. But what about the role of government policy in other aspects of healthcare? What is the responsibility of government to take an active role in determining the course of medical practi…

11/21/2014

Gender-Specific & Women's Health Curriculum National Survey

Anybody who has an interest in LGBT or Women's Health policy, please take a look at your curriculum and fill out this survey. It will help to make our medical education better, and help us to understand our patients. This a great project!

08/30/2014

Breaking: Federal Court Blocks Part of Texas Abortion Law Preceding Immediate State Appeal

"The act's ambulatory surgical center requirement places an unconstitutional undue burden on women throughout Texas" -- U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel on blocking part of Texas HB 2.

To learn more about the latest about federal ruling on abortion and family planning legislation, check out:

http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2014/08/29/federal-court-blocks-part-texas-abortion-law-preceding-immediate-state-appeal/

Without the court's injunction, HB 2 could have reduced the number of Texas abortion providers to eight.

08/30/2014

Illinois Governor Signs Law Combating Pregnancy Discrimination

"Every woman deserves to be respected and protected, and no woman should have to hide her pregnancy for fear of losing her job because she is pregnant" - Rep. Mary Flowers

Thank you, Governor Quinn and HB 8 sponsors for better protecting civil rights in the work place!

http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2014/08/29/illinois-governor-signs-law-combating-pregnancy-discrimination/

During a press conference announcing the new law, Gov. Pat Quinn said that women should not have to choose between being a mother and having a job.

07/30/2014

AMSA Action Center

Take a moment to let your congressperson know you support expanded and improved medicare.

http://action.amsa.org/o/2083/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=14591

July 30th, 2014 is the historic anniversary of the inception of Medicare, a public healthcare insurance program that provides coverage to over 50 million people in the United States today. Fiscal reform has made Medicare a place of interest for budget cuts. The essential good that Medicare provides…

07/28/2014

It’s Time for Innovation in How We Pay for Medical School

In order to get a well-rounded and diverse physician workforce the financial scheme of medicine needs to change.

The need for new financing systems in Medical Education.

07/04/2014

AMSA Disappointed with Court Decision Allowing Denial of Contraceptive Coverage

Everyone has the right to the healthcare they decide, a decision between the patient and the doctor. The recent Supreme Court ruling undermines this by allowing employers to deny contraceptive.

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) expresses deep disappointment with the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, in the case of Burwell v Hobby Lobby , to limit employee rights to access comprehensive medical care.

06/11/2014

Car Rental Discounts

Taking a trip this year? Don't forget that AMSA has partnered organizations that offer discounted car rentals.

http://amsa.org/AMSA/Homepage/MemberCenter/MemberBenefits/CarRental.aspx

AMSA members receive great deals when you rent from Alamo®, including year-round discounts of up to 20% off. Request ID Number AMSA at the time of reservation. Call Alamo at 1-800-462-5266 or visit the Alamo Website.

06/11/2014

Text of H.R. 4676: Medicaid Physician Self-Referral Act of 2014 (Introduced version) - GovTrack.us

H.R. 4676, recently assigned to congressional committee seeks to " provide that no payment may be made under the State plan for a Medicaid designated health service furnished to an individual on the basis of a referral by a physician if the physician (or an immediate family member of the physician) has an ownership or investment interest or a compensation arrangement (as defined in section 1877) with the entity furnishing the Medicaid designated health service that would not comply with section 1877 if the referral were for an item or service otherwise payable under title XVIII"

In laymen terms this bill seeks to reject funding for specialist visits in the case that the referring physician has financial ties with the specialty clinic.

My suggestion: drop this bill and others like it that seek to patch our broken healthcare system and adopt H.R. 676 Expanded and Improved Medicare For All!

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr4676/text?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email

Text of H.R. 4676: Medicaid Physician Self-Referral Act of 2014 as of May 19, 2014 (Introduced version). H.R. 4676: Medicaid Physician Self-Referral Act of 2014

06/08/2014

Marriage equality's 10-year journey, in one stunning GIF

With the implementation of same-sex marriage legislation in Illinois this past week, a majority of American same-sex couples can now get married in their home state among their family and friends!!

This amazing GIF captures the march toward marriage equality.

06/06/2014

AMSA On Call > A Word from AMSA's 2014-2015 National President

A Word from AMSA's 2014-2015 National President.

Hey AMSA! This is Britani Kessler, your new National President. My first month in office has been a whirlwind of activity. However, it is nothing compared to the past 4 years of hard work at Nova Southeastern University. I attended commencement a few weeks ago and I’m still taken back that I’m now a…

06/04/2014

Announcement today from the Department of Health and Human Services that Medicare will no longer blankly deny medically-necessary care related to gender transition!

http://transequality.org/PDFs/MedicareFactSheet.pdf

05/28/2014

Make patients the priority, not profits

Check out this great article written by a medical student activist like yourself!

As a medical student, I appreciated Tribune reporter Peter Frost's story, " Lawsuit accuses Blue Cross and Blue Shield parent of funneling profit to execs " (May 22).

05/27/2014

Louisiana Committee Passes Bill That Would Keep Pregnant Women on Mechanical Support Against...

Interesting issue in medical ethics -- AMSA members, what are your thoughts about this?

After emotional testimony given by opponents of a bill that would allow the state of Louisiana to invalidate any advance directives when a patient is pregnant, regardless of the viability of the fetus, a committee voted to pass the bill and send it to the full senate.

05/23/2014

Sen. Markey & Rep. Maloney Introduce Legislation to Fund Gun Violence Research | Congresswoman...

Today, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced bicameral legislation to fund research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on gun violence prevention and firearms safety. The legislation calls for $10 million in funding each year for six years beginning in fiscal year 2015.

Please take the time to call your legislators and let them know that you want this bill to pass. Let them know that gun violence is a public health threat to children. Firearm injuries are one of the top three causes of death among youth, causing twice as many deaths as cancer, five times as many as heart disease, and 15 times as many as infections. The United States has one of the highest rates of injuries, suicides and homicides among developed countries.
$10 million to CDC to conduct gun safety research is consistent with a report released last year by the Institute of Medicine, and research can save lives, reduce injuries and change behavior. Federal support is essential to better understand the causes of gun violence and the most effective ways to prevent it.

Washington (May 21, 2014) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) today introduced bicameral legislation to fund research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on gun violence prevention and firearms safety. The legislation calls for $10 million eac…

05/22/2014

Louisiana Legislature Sends Omnibus Anti-Abortion Bill to Gov. Jindal, Reproductive Rights...

“We all want to protect women’s health and safety — this bill doesn’t do that,” said Richards. “With similar restrictions passed in neighboring states over the objection of leading medical experts, we are deeply concerned that women in a vast stretch of this country are in real danger of losing the ability to access legal abortion safely.” -- Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Without any debate, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would impose regulations aimed at severely limiting access to abortion. It is expected to be signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

05/21/2014

H.R. 3530, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2014, passed in the House today. It increases the penalty for trafficking acts by $5,000 and sets up a Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund, which will award grants and increase programming for victims of trafficking.

05/16/2014

Health Policy and a Pint - American Medical Student Association

For all you policy junkies out there, we have a good topic starter for you! Check out this month’s Health Policy & a Pint, part of an ongoing monthly series about selected topics in Healthcare, complete with background articles and primers! May’s topic is: impact of patient cost-sharing on low-income populations: evidence from Massachusetts.

05/16/2014

Lobby Day 2014

We need your voice to support our Health Care For All lobby day on May 21-22nd

President Britani Kessler inviting you to join her at lobby day on May 21-22nd.

05/07/2014

Health Care For All - Lobby Day in Washington DC

Health Care For All - Lobby Day in Washington DC

Some of the workshop discussions include:
*History of US Healthcare Reform, the ACA, International Universal Healthcare.
*Advocacy as Physicians and Medical Students.
*Effective Messaging in Health Policy Advocacy and Personal Narrative

04/30/2014

2014 AMSA Lobby Day

2014 AMSA Lobby Day

Who We Are?
We are the next generation of physicians and recognize the need for greater political advocacy from the medical profession. We are dedicated to serving patients through health policy reform.
What We Do
Guided by AMSA member's values, we seek to empower future physicians to engage with elected officials, mentors, and society-at-large to advocate for solutions to healthcare injustices.