July 31, 2009, Washington, DC -- Physicians know first-hand the frustrations of caring for patients in our broken system.  And certainly, patients have an all-too-intimate understanding of what it is like to fight a multi-layered bureaucracy to get coverage for care they need.  That is, if they have insurance; tens of millions of Americans have no coverage at all.

So while the debate continues in Congress, the AMA is speaking out about their commitment to getting healthcare reform this year.AMA, the largest physician organization in the nation, is playing an active role in the health debate to get reform that benefits patients and physicians. 

“Forty-seven million Americans don’t have health insurance and physicians work day and night to provide patients with high-quality care within the confines of a broken system," said AMA Immediate Past President Nancy H. Nielsen, M.D.  "The status quo is unacceptable."

As Congress prepares to adjourn for the August recess with health reform still on the table, Dr. Nielsen speaks about where we stand as a nation, the progress that has been made to date and what is needed to continue on the road to reform.