Media Contact:
Kelly Thibert, D.O., M.P.H., National President
American Medical Student Association
Email: [email protected]
Sterling, Virginia – March 1, 2017 – The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is dedicated to advocating for the improvement of health care and health care delivery for all individuals. We firmly believe that health care is a human right, and as such, we will always defend the rights of our patients, not just in health care, but in all aspects of their lives.
President Trump’s recent executive order on immigration directly contradicts the core principles of physicians-in-training – to provide quality health care to all people without discrimination. This order not only impacts our future patients but also affects fellow physicians-in-training, colleagues, and scientists, many of whom have already felt its consequences or will in the future.
In response, AMSA has publicly condemned this executive order, taken action, and will continue to advocate on behalf of the immigrant community.
Immediately following the order’s announcement, AMSA issued a press release reaffirming our commitment to standing with immigrant communities and denouncing the executive action. We have actively engaged with national media outlets, including USA Today, the Minnesota Star Tribune, BuzzFeed, and Medscape, to communicate AMSA’s stance on this urgent issue.
AMSA has also publicly supported numerous petitions, including the Committee of Interns and Residents’ (CIR) open letter urging President Trump to rescind the travel ban, which blocks valid visa holders from seven Muslim-majority countries, halts the U.S. refugee program indefinitely, and imposes further immigration restrictions. AMSA has also endorsed a petition to medical educators calling for the protection of physicians-in-training of all nationalities, particularly those applying for this year’s residency match, and has supported a petition to the Cleveland Clinic urging the institution to sever ties with President Trump in response to his policies. We will continue working with organizations such as CIR and the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) to support their ongoing advocacy efforts.
AMSA Education and Advocacy Fellow, Matthew Moy, MD, MPH, has played a key role in mobilizing AMSA members to speak out and advocate for the protection of future patients and colleagues. He has compiled and distributed articles and petitions to keep members informed and provide avenues for active engagement. Additionally, Dr. Moy has been instrumental in drafting call-in scripts opposing the executive order, educating members on how to lead effective call-in campaigns, and encouraging them to write op-eds to raise awareness.
Have you seen the demonstrations at airports across the country? AMSA has sent medical students to O’Hare, BWI, LAX, and other airports to stand in solidarity with protesters opposing the executive order.
On February 23, 2017, during AMSA’s Annual Convention and Exposition in Washington, D.C., hundreds of medical students, premedical students, and physicians participated in Advocacy Day. They rallied on Capitol Hill, meeting with their Senators to voice support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In addition to its support of DACA, AMSA also backs the BRIDGE Act (Bar Removal of Individuals Who Dream of Growing Our Economy), a proposed bill that would allow individuals who are eligible for or have received temporary relief from deportation through DACA to continue living in the U.S. with federal authorization.
We will continue urging state and local leaders to use their authority to protect all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, religion, or immigration status. AMSA remains committed to opposing fear-based policies, racial profiling, and any form of discrimination that contributes to marginalization and threatens human rights and access to health care. We will stand by our mission and stand for our patients, always.
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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