AMA President Urges Physicians to Turn Anger into Action

CHICAGO — American Medical Assoc. (AMA) President Dr. Bruce Scott recently delivered the final speech of his presidency to the AMA House of Delegates, offering a frank assessment of challenges within the health system and urging physicians to channel anger and frustration into advocacy and action.

Scott, an otolaryngologist from Kentucky, highlighted what he called a broken Medicare physician payment system, out-of-control prior authorization, and an epidemic of physician burnout — pillars of the AMA’s “Why We Fight” campaign — while also touting immediate remedies required.

He noted that Congress is on the precipice of major Medicare reform that would connect reimbursements to the cost of running a medical practice, which has been a top AMA priority for years. However, he also lamented that the same bill threatens access to care for millions of Americans and would make medical school unaffordable for most students, despite the national physician shortage.

“I think the times call for some anger. Because despite the best efforts of everyone in this room and colleagues across the country, our healthcare system is failing in fundamental ways,” Scott said. “It’s failing physicians, and more importantly, it’s failing patients.

“I’m angry because the dysfunction in healthcare today goes hand in hand with years of dysfunction in Congress,” he added. “I’m angry because physicians are bearing the brunt of a failed Medicare payment system. And while our pay has been cut by more than 33% in 25 years, we see hospitals and even health insurance companies receiving annual pay increases.

“Congress needs to know there is no ‘care’ in Medicare if there are no doctors,” Scott went on. “But here’s the thing — being angry just for the sake of being angry doesn’t get us very far. We have to effectively channel our anger into action.”

Scott’s year as AMA president ends on June 10, when he will become immediate past president of the organization.