In the Spotlight...

Report on GLBT Related Items of Business at 2008 Annual Meeting

At 2008 AMA Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates, several items of importance to GLBT persons were approved.

Resolution 522, "Health Care Disparities in Same-Sex Partner Households," requests an AMA evaluation of existing data concerning same-sex couples and their dependent children, to determine whether there is evidence of health care disparities for these couples and children because of their exclusion from civil marriage.

Resolution 122, "Removing Financial Barriers to Care for Transgender Patients," provides AMA support for public and private health insurance coverage for treatment of gender identity disorder as recommended by a physician.

Council on Science and Public Health Report 9, "Optimizing Care for Gay Men and Lesbians," is an update of a report last approved in 1994.  This comprehensive report discusses health issues particular to gay men and lesbians, and their disproportionate risk for societal discrimination, violent hate crimes, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health conditions, substance use, and certain cancers. 

The current Council report recognizes the survey being conducted by the joint efforts of the AMA and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA).  Results of the survey will serve as a needs assessment in developing such tools and online continuing medical education (CME) programs with the goal of increasing physician competency on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender health issues.  The report notes that the AMA will continue to explore opportunities to collaborate with other organizations, focusing on issues of mutual concern in order to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date education and information to physicians to enable the provision of high quality, culturally competent care to gay men and lesbians.

For questions regarding these recent actions or if you have an item of interest for the AMA Advisory Committee on GLBT Issues, please contact glbt@ama-assn.org.

Does your office have a visible nondiscrimination statement for patients?

The AMA has produced a sample nondiscrimination statement that is suitable for physicians to frame and display in their offices.  This resource can be easily downloaded by clicking on the link below. The AMA is encouraging state medical societies to provide this sample statement to individual physicians to display for patient and staff awareness.  This small but important step ensures a greater level of comfort for all patients entering the physician’s office. 

Nondiscrimination Statement (PDF, 39KB)

AMA Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Issues
The American Medical Association (AMA) Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Issues was created by the AMA Board of Trustees to broaden AMA member outreach and provide advice and counsel to the AMA Board and staff on matters affecting GLBT physicians, medical students, and patients.

The Advisory Committee's goals and objectives are as follows:

• Providing a dedicated forum for involvement, mentoring, and networking for GLBT physicians and medical students.
  
• Increasing the membership and participation of GLBT physicians in the AMA.
  
• Enhancing AMA policy, advocacy, and education on GLBT health and professional issues.
  
• Strengthening liaison with the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association and other interested groups.

The Advisory Committee consists of seven members including an elected Chair and Vice Chair, and designated representatives from each of the following; the Medical Student Section, Resident and Fellow Section, Young Physicians Section and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

Committee members
Find out who currently serves on the Advisory Committee.

AMA policy
Learn about AMA policy pertaining to GLBT physicians, medical students and patients.

News and events
Get up-to-date information on important GLBT related events and issues.

Contact us
Connect with GLBT staff or members of the Advisory Committee. We want to hear from you.