Media Contact:
Kelly Thibert, D.O., M.P.H., National President
American Medical Student Association
Email: [email protected]
Sterling, VA – January 30, 2017: The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) has a mission deeply rooted in our members’ commitment to advocating for improved healthcare and healthcare delivery for all individuals. We firmly believe that healthcare is a human right and, therefore, we will always advocate for our patients’ rights, including but not limited to healthcare.
Our patients come from diverse backgrounds, and as physicians-in-training, we appreciate and respect the privilege of entering people’s lives to support them in achieving and maintaining good health, ultimately assisting them in reaching their fullest potential. Many patients we encounter already face significant obstacles in accessing healthcare. The executive order signed by President Trump last week targeting immigrant communities introduces yet another unnecessary and harmful barrier to healthcare access.
Moreover, we recognize that many of our fellow medical students, physicians, and scientists are part of the immigrant community, working tirelessly to provide essential healthcare services and expertise, contributing greatly to our nation’s overall health. We pledge to stand in solidarity with these colleagues and fully support them.
AMSA acknowledges ongoing challenges in healthcare, including a lack of diversity in the healthcare workforce and shortages of healthcare providers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This executive order will exacerbate these problems, making it even harder for many communities to access healthcare providers.
We urge state and local leaders to exercise their authority in safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of all residents, irrespective of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or immigration status. We call upon the Trump administration to immediately rescind this order, recognizing its detrimental impact on global health and well-being. As future physicians, we stand prepared to collaborate with our partners in resisting hate and discrimination.
We strongly support efforts opposing fearmongering, racial profiling, and other discriminatory practices or messaging that negatively portrays immigrant communities, leading to further marginalization, particularly regarding human rights and healthcare access. We understand that our patients’ health extends beyond clinical settings, as does our responsibility as future healthcare providers. AMSA will always advocate for the health and well-being of our patients.
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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