For more than 70 years, the American Medical Student Association has been committed to improving medical training and advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA’s 30,000 members include medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians. We are future physician leaders who believe that health professionals and patients are partners in the management and maintenance of health, and that access to high-quality health care is a right and not a privilege.
Our vision is a world where health care is accessible, medicine is affordable, and systems support the diversity we see around us. Every day, we work to ensure the health of our future patients and of our communities.
AMSA stands in support of the hard-earned improvements to healthcare access won through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On November 10, the Supreme Court will again hear arguments regarding the ACA’s constitutionality in California v. Texas. This attack on the ACA threatens health care coverage for millions across our nation. As future physicians we cannot stand by in silence while this Senate acts with wanton disregard to advance the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court at this time. The future of American healthcare access and affordability is at stake.
The efforts by Senate leadership to rush through the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice, less than two weeks before a general election that will decide who sits in the White House, as well as the makeup of both houses of Congress, is unconscionable. We are in the midst of a global pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 220,000 Americans, including over 1300 physicians and other health care providers who died after contracting COVID-19 while caring for others. During this crisis, the Senate has failed to pass any legislation since March to provide relief and economic stimulus for the American people.
As future physicians, we call on the Senate to focus on the health, security and well-being of the American people. We urge our senators to postpone this important decision until voters can make their voices heard in this election.
Furthermore, we urge our members to call on their Senators to vote no on the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett.
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Background Information:
- ACA Repeal Lawsuit Threatens Medicaid Expansion Coverage for Millions, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities
- Supreme Court Decision Will Determine Whether Millions of Americans Will Lose Health Coverage, Families USA
Action Tools:
- AMSA Statement on Senate Judiciary Committee Vote on Nomination to Supreme Court (PDF)
- Take Action – Call Senate to Protect Health Care
- Quick form to tell us about your call
- AMSA Action Photo Tool-Senate Protect Health Care
You can also tell your senators what you think via social media!
Download the photo template above and tweet your message via tweetcongress.org/tweeters
About the American Medical Student Association:
AMSA is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing physicians-in-training, advocating for quality and affordable health care for all, and building the next generation of physician leaders.
To join our community, visit amsa.org.
