Nation’s Medical Students Join the Occupy Movement

Nov. 30, 2011 - PRLog -- The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation’s oldest and largest, independent association for physicians-in-training, in line with its long-standing principles, is officially standing in solidarity with the Occupy Movement and calling for access to quality, affordable health care, among other social priorities and policies that support the 99%.

On December 4, 2011 at 11 a.m., AMSA members will participate in the Health Professional Students for Health Access for the 99% rally. In collaboration with Healthcare for the 99% working group, hundreds of medical students in white coats and scrubs will join other health professional students and allies at Louise Nevelson Plaza in New York City and then march to Zuccotti Park.  

While the nation’s top 1% continues to amass greater and greater wealth, the majority of Americans – the 99% -- sees our social safety net slashed with cuts to health programs, schools, unemployment coverage, disability and student loans. Americans are struggling to provide food and shelter for their families and to pay for medications - which are basic human rights. As the nation’s future health professionals, we are calling on America to change its priorities.

“It is time to refocus on the 99% and to develop equitable policies that support hard-working Americans,” says Danielle Salovich, AMSA National President. “AMSA has long fought for issues affecting the group of people that has now become known as the 99% - our neighbors, our colleagues, our patients, and our families - everyone who makes up the patchwork quilt of the United States. We are calling for access to health care, education, food, housing and other fundamental rights that are out of reach of so many.”  

“As future health professionals, we are dedicated to the service of the 99% and we rise against those who continue to promote societal inequities that make all of us sicker,” says Colin McCluney, AMSA Education and Advocacy Fellow. “We join our voices together and we will not be silenced.”

To learn more about AMSA’s involvement with the movement see our Occupy-related web content, visit: http://action.amsa.org/owsandamsa.

Click here to sign AMSA’s Health Professional Student Statement of Solidarity: http://action.amsa.org/o/2083/p/dia/action/public/index.s....

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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 http://www.amsa.org/AMSA/Homepage.aspx.