Pubdate: Sun, 17 Jun 2001
Source: Daily Camera (CO)
Copyright: 2001 The Daily Camera.
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/103
Website: http://www.bouldernews.com/
Author: Lindsey Tanner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/ocbc.htm (Oakland Cannabis Court Case)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS ON THE AMA'S AGENDA 

CHICAGO (AP) One month after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the
medical use of marijuana, the American Medical Association is being
urged to endorse the illegal drug as last-resort pain relief for
seriously ill patients. 

At its policy-setting annual meeting starting here today, the AMA also
is being asked to endorse a moratorium on executions nationwide,
although it rejected a similar proposal last year. The measures are
among more than 250 reports, resolutions and proposals conference
delegates are asking the nation's largest group of doctors to approve. 

Whether the historically cautious group will take a more activist role
at its five-day meeting remains to be seen as the group struggles for
effectiveness amid a worrisome slide in membership. The challenge is to
appeal to physicians with divergent political views while at the same
time tackling issues relevant to patients. 

"They don't want to take positions that they're concerned the public
would consider not necessarily appropriate for physicians to take," said
Dr. Jimmy Hara, a sometimes AMA member and co-president of the Los
Angeles chapter of the activist group Physicians for Social
Responsibility. 

Desperately seeking to attract new members, the AMA is more likely than
ever to stick to middle ground, Hara said. 

The marijuana question is an example. The Supreme Court's May 14 ruling
that it's illegal to sell or possess marijuana for medical use appears
to be having little effect in the eight states with medical marijuana
laws, and some have even moved to expand marijuana laws despite the
ruling. 

The AMA's current policy opposes use of medical marijuana but says there
should be more research on the issue. But a report by an AMA council
says the group should support the "compassionate use" of marijuana while
also urging further research. 

Like all proposals at the meeting, the marijuana report could be altered
or withdrawn before being sent to the House of Delegates for a vote on
whether to make it policy during the meeting's final three days. 

The AMA enters this year's meeting leaner, in better fiscal health, and
- -- its leaders maintain -- better equipped to tackle ongoing challenges
such as membership and managed care reform. 

In its year 2000 financial report, the AMA reported earning $2.7 million
on operations, compared with a $15 million loss in 1999. The turnaround
was achieved by reducing or eliminating programs and cutting staff by 14
percent, or 188 jobs. 

But the AMA lost more than 3,000 members and $4.2 million in revenue
from membership dues last year, continuing a slide that began several
years ago. That puts membership at 290,357, or only about one-third of
the nation's 800,000-plus doctors, residents and medical students. 

Ten years ago, the AMA had nearly 300,000 members, or about 40 percent
of the nation's doctors. 

"Membership is the most crucial area for the AMA," the financial report
said, acknowledging that the group's effectiveness and success depends
on rebuilding its ranks. 

The AMA formed an advisory committee after last year's annual meeting to
address the problem, and gained insight into possible remedies from a
doctors' survey the committee conducted at the AMA's winter meeting in
Orlando. 

Comments included complaints about high dues -- ranging from $420
annually for regular members to $20 for medical students. But one
respondent told the group the "biggest issue in AMA membership
deterioration is public perception that AMA has become a trade union
interested primarily in MD income. Many physicians would return to
membership if widespread perceptions become that AMA is really
'physicians dedicated to the health of America.'" 

Alternative dues packages for residents and fellows and outreach
programs targeting young doctors, residents and even pre-med students
are among solutions the AMA has implemented or is considering, the
committee said in a report to be presented at the meeting. 

Other proposals at the meeting include: 

Urging the AMA to officially recommend a low-salt diet to all Americans,
even those without high blood pressure, "as an effective means of
preventing the development of hypertension." 

Calling for a ban on prescription drug ads to the public to decrease
drug costs and improve doctor-patient relationships. 

Calling for the AMA to lobby for mandatory alcoholism screening for all
drunken-driving offenders. 

The health of the AMA-sponsored union, Physicians for Responsible
Negotiation, also will be discussed in light of a recent Supreme Court
decision preventing private-hospital doctors from organizing if they
have supervisory duties.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk