TMA Official Statement on Health System Reform

Jul 21, 2009

The Board of Trustees developed and approved an official TMA position on health system reform at its Summer Retreat, July 17-19.

"We are unified in our belief that the funding of the United States healthcare system needs to be changed to allow physicians to continue to provide the quality care...[and]... support health care reforms that provide affordable, essential health insurance coverage for all Americans," the statement reads.

"While the American Medical Association and numerous national and health care organizations have issued their own statements, beliefs and principles, we felt it critical for the TMA to state its own position to let our members, patients and the lawmakers know our views and that we will measure any proposal coming out of Washington against our principles," said TMA President Richard DePersio, MD, from Knoxville, who chairs TMA's Health System Reform Task Force. Past KAM President and member since 1980.

There has been much discussion, questions and some confusion about the AMA's recent announcements and its position on national health system reform. Here are some resources that may help answer some of the questions we have been receiving.