The CAP led a delegation of the Pathology Section Council at the American Medical Association (AMA) Special Meeting of the House of Delegates (HOD) from November 12-16, 2021. The HOD virtual meeting delegates emphasized the importance of making health insurance coverage available to, and affordable for, uninsured individuals as well as the importance of preventing upcoming Medicare cuts to physician payment. Health equity issues in maternal health and access to care in rural health were also important discussions at the special meeting.

Nearly 700 physicians, residents and medical students gathered virtually to consider proposals across a wide range of clinical practice, payment, medical education, and public health topics. CAP member and Pathology Section Council Chair Mark Synovec, MD, FCAP, testified for the section council on the proper use of AMA CPT Codes and the harmful behaviors of the health insurance industry.

The CAP supported several initiatives at the AMA meeting, including expanding health care access to the uninsured. CAP members Susan Strate, MD, FCAP, and Council on Government and Professional Affairs Chair Jonathan Myles, MD, FCAP, were in the discussions on the final AMA resolution.

The Pathology Section Council also discussed some of the AMA top advocacy priorities including:

• Opposing 2022 Medicare cuts and ensuring Medicare physician payments are sufficient to safeguard patient access to care
• Strengthening public health systems
• Bolstering the physician workforce in rural communities
• Supporting efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices to bring down the cost of prescription drugs for patients
• Enhancing privacy for people who use mail-order DNA testing kits

The Young Physician Section and Resident and Fellow Section also met virtually to discuss important issues such as:

• Bereavement leave for medical students and physicians
• Affirmatively protecting the safety and dignity of physicians and medical students as workers
• Scope of practice
• Preserving physician leadership in patient care

CAP Delegate to the Residents and Fellow Section Dana Martin, MD, was also elected as an Alternate Sectional Delegate from the Residents and Fellow Section to the AMA.

During the meeting, AMA President Gerald E. Harmon, MD, addressed the HOD and outlined ongoing challenges physicians are facing in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Harmon, who also spoke during CAP21, urged Congress to address the looming end-of-year Medicare cuts that could cut payments to physician practices by nearly 10% when they are already struggling due to the pandemic.

Learn more about AMA membership