National Medical Associations Join Together To Host Voter Registration Drives Across Country

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 03 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the National Physicians Alliance (NPA) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) launches the RxVote Campaign, a national voter registration effort dedicated to improving the health of all Americans. AMSA, the nation's oldest and largest, independent association for physicians-in-training joins with NPA's extensive network of physicians to increase voter participation and civic engagement of health workers and patients, particularly those serviced by NACHC's network of Community Health Centers and those from traditionally underrepresented communities.

"The campaign aims to promote a healthy democracy through grassroots voter registration and education efforts in the nation's community health centers, clinics and hospitals," says Dr. Rishi Manchanda, RxVote leader with NPA.

As the country enters the final phases of this historic Presidential election, physicians and medical students will organize volunteers at medical schools and clinical sites across the country to hold voter registration drives. Community health centers, clinics and hospitals have a unique ability and responsibility to empower patients to participate in the democratic process and advocate for vital health reform.

"Physicians-in-training will make their voices heard and move the country toward a health care system that delivers accessible, affordable, high-quality health care to all Americans," says Dr. Brian Hurley, AMSA's national president. "A lack of involvement in the political process and poor participation in health policy change prevents individuals from protecting the health of their communities. Student physicians empower patients to get involved in their health care through voter registration."

For more information, please visit http://www.amsa.org/RxVote/.

About the National Physicians Alliance

Representing thousands of America's doctors across medical specialties, the National Physicians Alliance seeks to restore physicians' primary emphasis on the core values of our profession: service, integrity, and advocacy. We work to improve health and well being, and to ensure equitable, affordable, high quality health care for all people. To learn more about the National Physicians Alliance, our strategic priorities, and what makes us different, please visit us online at http://www.npalliance.org/.

About the National Association of Community Health Centers

The National Association of Community Health Centers is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to expanding health care access for America's medically underserved through the community-based health center model. Started over 40 years ago, today there are over 1,100 Community Health Centers, serving 18 million people at over 6,000 sites located throughout all 50 states and U.S. territories. Community Health Centers never turn anyone away for care - regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. They are local, non-profit, community-owned and federally-supported. For more: http://www.nachc.org.

About the American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With more than 67,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including advocating for quality, affordable health care for all, global health equity, enriching medicine through diversity and professional integrity, development and student well being. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org/.

American Medical Student Association