This deals a double-blow to Obama, as he was trumpeting the AMA's support proudly this week -even making a surprise appearance in the WH press room to announce the endorsement. He also found it highly useful in attempting to legitimize the AARP's dubious backing of the legislation and lend moral support... as they've inexplicably endorsed it against the wishes of most of their members, too.
This today at Politico:
The American Medical Association’s decision to endorse the House reform bill before its members had a chance to weigh in has dissenting factions threatening a “showdown” this weekend.
Opponents of the group’s endorsement are planning to introduce multiple resolutions to rescind or amend the AMA’s nod, according to an official whose doctor group opposes today’s endorsement.
“All is not happy in Denmark. There is a split within the ranks of the physician community,” the official said. “Clearly, the AMA does not represent the views of all physicians.”
In fact, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons announced their opposition to the House bill today. ...
Some AMA members are upset that the association plowed forward with an endorsement ahead of their meeting this weekend in Houston. Also grumbling about the AMA’s endorsement are state medical associations in Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, the official said.
Former AMA president Stormy Johnson is preparing a resolution to rescind the endorsement, sources said. And the surgeons are introducing a resolution that would call on the AMA to actively oppose any legislation that includes a public option or a temporary doc fix or that doesn’t include medical malpractice reform.
h/t Say Anything