There have been 2 factions within the AMA. One wants to call out the absolute shit show that that a non-doctor is doing to the health and security and safety of Americans. The other wants to continue to be conciliatory and non-confrontational with the same DHHS secretary.
Guess which one they’ve been doing?
Guess which one got voted the new head of the AMA?
Dr. Sandra Fryhofer is the one that just got elected to be the head of the AMA.
She beat Dr. Michael Sulk who had been an AMA board chair who prioritized reimbursement rates over pushing back on the dismantling of research and Medicaid and the damage to the CDC and the vaccine schedule. And so much more. I’ve been writing about it since RFK Jr. was confirmed.
This is exceptional news.
The AMA’s doctors finally put their foot down and said, with one voice, “Enough!”
I am so pleased.
But I have to acknowledge that there is a Medicaid cliff that is looming. Millions of low-income Americans will lose their Medicaid which will have a chilling effect on healthcare.
But those of us in the trenches know that means 1 of 2 things, 1) people will go into debt to afford care, or 2) will go without screenings and care and medication and Dr.’s visits. Most people will choose the second option. This means their chronic conditions will get more and more debilitating until they seek care. Often when it is too late.
This election does not mean that the AMA is a blameless association.
But it is a start.
Dr. Fryhofer’s term will start next summer.
Dispatches from the Evening Shift 