The Maine Medical Association denounced Florida doctors' criticisms that the American Medical Association supported healthcare reform without representing physicians' interests. Doctors in Maine are calling for members to support AMA leaders, reports Health News Florida.
Florida's vote of "no confidence" of the AMA jeopardizes the organization's ability to "effectively advocate for physicians and the patients they serve," said the Maine chapter in a letter to the national group, reports The Hill's Healthwatch blog.
"At a time when it is critically important for physicians, as a profession, to stand together, this action threatens the very principles that our AMA was founded upon," wrote Dr. Jo Linder, president of the MMA. "Now is not the time to squander our influence in petty bickering," she said.
The FMA took offense to Maine chapter's letter. The MMA should "respect the right of other state medical associations" to express their opinions, said FMA spokeswoman Erin Van Sickle in response, reports Health News Florida.
"The FMA is simply saying what the vast majority of physicians already think and what many members of Congress have already stated publicly," she added. The FMA hopes AMA leaders will conduct an internal examination to improve the organization, she said.
FierceHealthCare
9-29-2010
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