47 million uninsured Americans; Over $2 trillion spent each year in health care; Political debate about universal care; A presidential election a year away; All these are critical issues that will shape US health policy and delivery, yet collectively we as the door keepers of health care, the physicians have no voice. If we do not engage, the voices that will shape health care for the 21st century will be those of the pharmaceutical, insurance, and hospital industries. Why their voice and not ours? Reason #1, reason #2, and reason #3, we have no voice in Washington. Year to date the AMA and all medical professional organizations combined have spent just under $30 million lobbying Washington on our issues. The pharmaceutical, insurance and hospital industries have combined for over $200 million this year lobbying Washington; just follow the money.

Almost 100 years ago the Flexner Report set in motion the total restructuring of US medical education. The Greater Medical Center Group, GMCG, Health Policy Division was formed to give every physician in this country a voice to insure our participation in all major decisions regarding health care education and delivery. This is our time as the decision makers and leaders in the physician community to set the agenda for the foundation of medical care and medical education for the 21st century.

C. Bennett MD

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