The USMA: Filling the Void
A gaping void has developed between the needs of physicians in our country and those organizations purporting to represent the nation’s physicians.
This void includes an absence of representation protecting the sanctity of the patient physician relationship and the related lack of regard for the independent practice business model. This dearth of representation manifests itself in the increasing reality that the healthcare of America’s patients is being managed by centralized government, distant insurance companies and massive corporate entities.
Physicians didn’t go through the grueling process of education and interning to essentially do the bidding of often callous corporations whose priority is their own bottom line. Most went into this noble field ultimately to heal people and improve the quality of their lives. This is increasingly difficult as the trends become stronger towards centralized consolidation in a few hands that do not always have the patients or physicians best interests at heart.
Independent physician practices are increasingly being swallowed or managed by non-medical lay entities. And the frustrating part for many physicians is that there is no organization representing their interests against these forces. The major organizations supposed to be representing physicians seem more interested in posturing for the political flavor of the day than in preserving and protecting America’s independent medical practices.
That physicians can be, and increasingly are, substituted like pawn pieces on a chessboard is a deadly recipe for healthcare, and not why physicians entered the field. The market still demands that patients have a very personal, intimate relationship with their physicians, knowing that he or she is ultimately responsible for their care. Patients want a doctor they can trust, not some interchangeable medical widget that rolls the patient through an assembly line.
Clearly the abominable manner in which healthcare is being delivered to America’s patients is not because of market stressors or market demands, but rather because of legislative pressures being placed on small businesses and small physician practices. This is too often done with either the indifference of current supposed medical organizations, or their tacit approval.
This is just wrong. It is wrong for doctors, wrong for patients and wrong for healthcare. It works only for politically aligned power structures far too disconnected from the physician-patient relationship.
It’s time for a change, and that requires an organization committed to representing American physicians, not powerful politicians and corporations, and not distracted by the shifting winds of political correctness.
That is the sole purpose for the creation of the United States Medical Association. We are a group of physicians and more who have seen firsthand the shifting medical landscape and the lack of any real representation — sometimes even representation working against our interests by major organizations supposed to be watching out for us. They aren’t, but the USMA will.
To get involved with and support the USMA, visit us at www.usmedicalassociation.org, sign up for our emails and newsletters, or contact us at info@usmedicalassociation.org or by calling (941) 441-0310.
Remember, the USMA will be the House that Doctors Built, and it will not become a reality without your help. Please visit the United States Medical Association website and consider making a contribution $500, $1,000, or $5,000 to help build this sorely needed organization.*
With your help, the USMA has no choice but to succeed. All we need to do is share in carrying the load. Please consider contributing. We look forward to quickly becoming your go-to organization in support of your profession.