Viewpoint
Toward a Unified Profession
The MMA seeks to embrace all physicians in Minnesota and strives to be a strong advocate for our profession. As a part of our advocacy, the MMA places great emphasis on communicating about the work that is being done every day for our members as well as the benefits of membership. However, many physicians do not see a need for membership in the MMA; some may even feel that their professional goals run contrary to those of the MMA.
The effects of specialization and the commercialization of medicine have produced challenges for physicians in this regard. But increasingly, one of the most divisive factors in medicine—and one that has had an adverse effect on MMA membership—is politics.
A recent example is the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) decision to support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Many physicians were opposed to the PPACA, and this prompted some to drop their membership in the AMA. Members of the MMA were also divided on the issue, and some were angered over the MMA’s decision to remain neutral on the PPACA.
When the AMA or the MMA endorses a specific candidate, a piece of legislation, or a policy action, there is the potential to alienate physicians who may respond by dropping their membership. If such a scenario is repeated over and over, membership in medical societies could dwindle to a point where they represent so few physicians that they become irrelevant.
Physicians have strong political beliefs, just as others do. However, we have learned that in order to care for our patients, we need to focus on the principles of our profession rather than our politics. I think we need to adopt a similar approach with our profession. Rather than focus on our differences, we need to focus on the common principles we share.
Our individual political views will surely influence our internal discussions about formulating policy; but placing our personal views ahead of our profession when we engage in public debate about health care policy only weakens our influence. We need to be unified so that we can speak with a strong voice.
We all certainly want to have a role in developing and influencing legislation that affects our profession. But as individuals, we should not jeopardize the long-term strength of our medical society because of personal disagreements over short-term political decisions. Our profession will continue to face challenges. To remain a strong advocate for physicians, we must become—and remain—unified.