Future Physicians Weigh In on Healthcare Reform

Sept. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Reston, Va.— Nearly 18 months after the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), physician and public opinion have been very well documented; however, those who will be most affected by healthcare reform, namely physicians-in-training, have yet to be heard.  The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation’s oldest and largest, independent association for physicians-in-training, announces the publication of “Healthcare Reform and the Next Generation: United States Medical Student Attitudes toward the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” in the online journal PLoS ONE.  

“Our study found that nearly 95 percent of medical students believe the current healthcare system needs to be changed,” said Kristin Huntoon, PhD, AMSA’s Health Policy Chair and one of the seven authors. “There’s no doubt that the PPACA will have a significant impact on patients and providers alike, but it will be up to us, as the next generation of physicians, to continue working to ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.”

Over 1200 medical students from ten United States medical schools were surveyed between October and December 2010 to determine their attitudes toward reform and specifically the PPACA.

“In addition to showing support overall for the PPACA, our data also showed that almost 4 out of 5 medical students felt that reforms did not go far enough,” said Colin McCluney, AMSA’s Education and Advocacy Fellow and another of the authors. “Instead of focusing its energy on trying to repeal this historic legislation, Congress should be looking at ways to further expand coverage and care while reducing costs.”

The entire manuscript is available at http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjou....

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 the concerns of physicians-in-training. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at www.amsa.org.

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The American Medical Student Association is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA makes medicine a better place for students, patients and communities.