Medical Students Mobilize In Support Of Single-Payer Healthcare Reform

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 05 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Members of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) joined nurses, survivors of the private health insurance industry, Michael Moore, and members of Congress in a historic hearing on the negative health impacts of the for-profit private insurance industry.

The hearing, organized by Congressman John Conyers, featured clips from Mr. Moore's new film, Sicko, and testimony from industry survivors, Michael Moore, health policy experts, and Flávio Casoy, AMSA's Jack Rutledge Fellow for Universal Healthcare. The hearing was preceded by a press conference where numerous members of Congress denounced the profiteering in the healthcare systems, called for national public financing of healthcare, and lauded Mr. Moore for shedding light into the corrupting influence of private insurance. In his testimony, Casoy explained how medical students often have to negotiate between recommending the best, scientifically-proven care for patients and recommending secondary treatments that are covered by patients' insurance. For Jennifer Jackson, a fourth-year medical student at George Washington University, the "hearing was inspiring because so many leaders in Congress and in health policy testified about practical solutions to reform a system that is not working for Americans."

Michael Moore's film presents an important opportunity to educate the public about the negative role played by private insurance in healthcare. Jackson believes the film is "about how you should treat fellow humans; the movie reminds us how to be kind to each other". An important focus of the film is how other nations' healthcare systems are able to provide better care that result in better outcomes.

On the opening of the film on June 29th, members of the American Medical Student Association mobilized across the country to educate the general public about the need to eliminate profit from the equation in how we finance healthcare in America today.

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 68,000 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 universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical education. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org/.

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