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Section X.  Policy Formulation of the Association

The “Official Call” details the process by which members may make amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and the two policy documents. Deadlines are maintained to allow adequate time for local chapters to review all resolutions, amendments and reports submitted to the House of Delegates for consideration. The Board of Trustees accepts only those resolutions of an emergency nature after the deadline date, since chapters and members must be given adequate time to review the issues under consideration by the House of Delegates.

A.            Referral of Resolutions.  All amendments and resolutions will be referred by the Chairperson of the House to an appropriate Reference Committee. The Reference Committees then hold “open” sessions to hear testimony on  all proposed amendments and resolutions.

B.            Participation by Members in the Reference Committee Hearings.  The importance of member participation in testimony before Reference Committees cannot be  over stressed.  The Reference Committee sessions are used for in depth discussion of the issues reflected in amendments, resolutions and reports submitted to the House of Delegates. A policy of openness is maintained in hearings of the Reference Committees, and any  individual may present viewpoints for consideration at the designated “open” sessions.  During “closed”  sessions, any individual may be present to hear the deliberations of the Reference Committee.  However, individuals not on the Reference Committee may not participate or make comments until subsequent “open” sessions. Furthermore, the deliberations following the “open” sessions will be “closed.”

C.            Regional Responsibilities in Policy Deliberations.  At one of the regional meetings prior to the Opening Session of the House of Delegates, each region shall review all submitted amendments, resolutions, and reports.  Regions shall assign members to attend specific Reference Committees sessions in order to optimally provide input into the deliberations on the issues under consideration. (2003)

D.            Delegate(s) Responsibilities in the House of Delegates. It is the responsibility of the official Delegate(s) to take final action on the Reference Committee reports. Although any Delegate may speak out in support of or opposition to any part of any Reference Committee report, it is primarily within the chapter meetings prior to the Annual Meeting and within the regional meetings and Reference Committee hearings at the Annual Meeting that in depth discussion and debate of the issues takes place.   No smoking is allowed on the floor of the House of Delegates.

E.             Reports to the House of Delegates.  The House of  Delegates annually receives, from the President, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, Coordinators and/or Committees and the ED, reports of pertinence to their responsibilities. Reports are submitted “For Information Only” to the House of  Delegates. The House of Delegates does not consider “recommendations” as listed in the reports. Recommendations must be submitted to the House of Delegates as separate Constitution and Bylaws amendments, Resolutions of Principle or Resolutions of Internal Affairs.

F.             Implementation of Association Policy.  In order to allow the policies of AMSA to be implemented in a manner appropriate to its resources, the House of Delegates entrusts the Board of Trustees (BOT) with the responsibility for implementation of all policies established by the House of Delegates. In cases where the Association’s resources do not allow for immediate implementation of policies, the BOT will implement such policies as soon as adequate resources are obtained. In addition, funding the newly passed policy will be discussed and voted upon at the budgetary discussions at June BOT or AC Exec meeting. If a 2/3 majority vote decides to deny funding due to lack of resources, this decision will be communicated to members in the ensuing BOT June Action Report, (as listed in the Constitution and Bylaws, Article XVII, Section 1). At the following HOD, a statement regarding lack of implementation due to inadequate funding, will also be included in the Vice President for Finances’ Report to the HOD. (2008) These policies in addition will guide the legislative action of the Association, as implemented below.

 1.            The Legislative Agenda of the Association will consist of the following issues, which are most pertinent to medical students,: (2005)

a.     Access to Health Care: AMSA will address the inequities and shortfalls of the U.S. health care system. This effort will include, but are not limited to, advocating for a single-payer national health insurance plan, working for improved Medicare and Medicaid regulations, resolving physician supply issues and reforming the malpractice liability insurance system, and advocating for greater access for insured individuals. (2005)

b.     Global AIDS pandemic: AMSA will address the Global AIDS pandemic through advocacy and lobbying efforts. We recognize this pandemic to be one of the greatest tragedies of our time, and our efforts will include, but are not limited to, educating the public and medical professionals about HIV and HIV-related illnesses, developing systems of coordinated volunteer and government agencies to distribute resources to AIDS-afflicted countries, creating mechanisms to provide access to essential medications, encouraging research  on developing a cure and better treatments for HIV/AIDS, and advocating for increased funding to countries stricken by HIV and AIDS. (2005)

c.     Medical Education: AMSA will address the undergraduate and graduate medical education process, structure, and curriculum. This effort will include, but is not limited to, adjusting the medical education process to provide the most relevant and beneficial curriculum and atmosphere for physicians-in-training, revising medical board examination methods when necessary, advocating for diversity in medicine, training culturally-competent physicians, and encouraging a public health and community-based curricula. (2005)

d.     Residency Work Hours: AMSA will address the particular issue of residency work hours. This effort will include, but is not limited to, supporting efforts to implement the safe resident work hour  regulations, including those at the federal level, instituting whistleblower protection, educating physicians-in-training on the effects of acute and chronic sleep deprivation, and establishing independent review committees to monitor residency program compliance. (2005)

e.     Medical Education Costs: AMSA will address the cost of medical education and student debt by improving the availability of adequate financial support student including, but not limited to, tax credits for student loan interest, improved methods of loan repayment, merit-based scholarships, grants for disadvantaged students, and innovative student and school-based financing strategies. AMSA will also seek to limit rising medical school tuition that is increasingly discouraging qualified students from entering the field of medicine. (2005)

2.             Any additions, amendments, or alterations to this legislative agenda shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House of Delegates. (1997)

3.             However, given the volatility of political agendas, AMSA’s daily legislative efforts will be determined by the LAD based on the prevailing political issues. (1997)

G..           Change to Established Association Policy. Individuals who seek to change established association policy are encouraged to write resolutions to the contrary.