Media Contact:
Kelly Thibert, DO, MPH National President
American Medical Student Association
Email: [email protected]
Sterling, VA – June 27, 2016: The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) has a mission built upon our members’ dedication to advocating for improvements in healthcare and healthcare delivery for all people. We believe healthcare is a human right, and therefore, we consistently advocate for our patients’ rights.
AMSA supports a publicly funded healthcare system, viewing healthcare as a fundamental human right. Consequently, we will always advocate for our patients’ rights. AMSA endorses a publicly financed, single-payer national health program as the ideal path to achieving better healthcare. However, until that goal is met, AMSA supports the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it currently provides critical access to healthcare services.
In the early days of the 115th Congress, we’ve observed rapid action aimed at repealing the ACA. As future physicians, we strongly feel a moral responsibility to advocate for our patients who depend on healthcare provided under the ACA. Many rely on this care for survival and improved quality of life. Given these stakes, we must speak out clearly against repealing a law that helps our patients.
AMSA engages students nationwide to advocate for quality, affordable healthcare. We collaborate with state and national coalitions to enhance existing public health programs. In the coming weeks, we will actively join various coalitions opposing the repeal of the ACA while continuing our advocacy efforts for single-payer reform.
We strongly support grassroots efforts to preserve essential aspects of the ACA through direct advocacy. AMSA will join several coalitions in voicing opposition to ACA repeal, including delivering petitions to key Congressional offices from healthcare professionals who insist on preserving critical components of the ACA. These signatories are deeply concerned about potential loss of access to care for their patients.
We firmly believe that the ultimate solution for better healthcare is a single-payer national health program. Until then, repealing the ACA would significantly harm patients relying on its coverage. As physicians-in-training, AMSA feels morally obligated to advocate on behalf of patients who depend on current healthcare protections.
AMSA will continue its fight to protect the rights and healthcare access of our patients. We are committed to advocating for a fair, equitable, and accessible healthcare system for all.
About AMSA:
AMSA 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. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://amsa.org.
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