CHICAGO - Underscoring the need for meaningful health system reform for America's patients and physicians, the American Medical Association (AMA) ran an ad Tuesday emphasizing common ground on health reform to remember what's at stake - access to care for millions. The AMA ad ran nationally in the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Online advertising will run in various medical trade publications.

"This ad is a reminder of why the AMA is working for reform," said AMA President J. James Rohack, M.D. "Forty-seven million Americans don't have health insurance, and physicians work day and night to provide patients with high-quality care within the confines of a broken system."

"Recognizing that there is still much to be done to achieve the right health reforms, the AMA is using this opportunity to get the facts out and find common ground," said Dr. Rohack. "It's time to shift our focus from arguing about differences to working together to resolve them. The AMA is committed to reform to make the system better for patients and physicians."

The AMA ad lists the organization's health-reform goals:

· Protect the sacred relationship between patients and their physicians, without interference by insurance companies or the government

· Provide affordable health insurance for all through a choice of plans and eliminates denials for pre-existing conditions

· Promote quality, prevention and wellness initiatives

· Repeal the Medicare physician payment system that harms seniors' access to care

· Ease the crushing weight of medical liability and insurance company bureaucracy

"Our system is at a point where the status quo is no longer acceptable," said Dr. Rohack. "The AMA takes its position at the center of the health-care debate as both an honor and serious responsibility."

The AMA invites all patients and physicians to become involved in the health-reform debate. For more information, please visit www.ama-assn.org/go/reform.

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