AMA, bipartisan members of Congress commit to action to cover all Americans next year

For immediate release
Sept. 18, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC - As the economy falters and many Americans lose their health insurance with their jobs, the American Medical Association (AMA) and bipartisan members of Congress stand together in the U.S. Capitol today to commit to action on the uninsured in 2009. AMA President Nancy Nielsen, MD, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), and U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) illustrated that physicians and bipartisan lawmakers understand that the time has come to end America's uninsured crisis and cover all Americans.

"Without action from Congress and the president, the uninsured problem is likely to get worse very soon," said Dr. Nielsen. "Most privately insured Americans get health insurance through an employer, and their coverage is at risk as unemployment rises. In fact, the most common reason patients have become uninsured this year is because they or someone in their family lost their job."

"We urge all members of Congress and the next president to stand with us in our commitment to get all Americans covered," said AMA President Nancy Nielsen, MD. "The uninsured problem does not discriminate - it affects each and every one of us, whether it's through limited access to health care or higher health care costs. The uninsured often put off seeing a physician until their health problem reaches crisis proportions, leading to more difficult and costly conditions to treat."

"We're sharing our proposal to cover the uninsured that builds on the strengths of our current system with presidential candidates and members of Congress," said Dr. Nielsen. "Next year we need to come together to find common ground and a real solution."

Today, the AMA shared new broadcast, print, and online advertisements that will run until the presidential election. The ads focus on physicians' efforts to get their patients health care coverage. One broadcast ad that began airing this week on national cable and Sunday news says, "There's one condition the AMA is ready to cure. One that afflicts 46 million and causes us to live sicker and die younger - the lack of health insurance." Print ads with a similar message are published in physician trade publications and national news magazines including Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and Prevention. Online banners and welcome advertisements are posted to news and political sites, health sites, and election support sites such as RealClearPolitics.com.

The event and the advertisements are part of the AMA's Voice for the Uninsured Campaign, a three-year effort to cover the uninsured that began last fall and will continue through 2009. To learn about the AMA's public-private proposal to cover the uninsured, view the ads, or share your voice visit the Voice for the Uninsured Web site.

For more information, please contact:

Mollie Turner
Media Relations
(202) 789-7430,