MMA Members Shape National Policy at AMA Interim Meeting

December 8, 2022

Members of the MMA delegation to the AMA influenced AMA policy through testimony and action at the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, which was held in mid-November in Honolulu.  

The meeting was focused on advocacy-related topics, with approximately 200 resolutions and/or reports considered on topics from cardiac care, transgender care, private equity in healthcare, to abortion services. 

MMA's AMA contingent at the Honolulu meeting included: Dennis O'Hare, MD (left); David Thorson, MD; Chair Cindy Firkins Smith, MD; Laurel Ries, MD; Lisa Mattson, MD; MMA President Will Nicholson, MD; and Andrea Hillerud, MD.

The AMA reaffirmed its commitment to women’s healthcare access and reproductive rights, with virtually no opposition voiced, a change from past meetings. Amid news of the shooting at the University of Virginia, firearm violence prevention remained a topic of fierce interest, with the AMA voting to create a task force with a specific emphasis on the role of firearms in suicide. The future of healthcare teams in healthcare delivery was acknowledged, while recognizing the need to protect patient safety. The role of non-physicians in supervising care at emergency departments arose, with the AMA resolving that EDs should be supervised by board-eligible/board-certified physicians with training and experience in emergency medicine and trauma care. 

The Minnesota delegation did not introduce any resolutions at this meeting, but joined many other state societies in supporting a resolution to delay proposed changes to accreditation processes by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education; the resolution passed.  

The meeting was the final one for delegate David Estrin, MD, who has served on the delegation since 2004.