The American Medical Association urged the National Governors Association to support removing obstacles to preserving and expanding the physician workforce during the current public health emergency.
AMA Urges Governors to Adopt Emergency Response Protections for Physicians
In response to overwhelming circumstances, hazards and burdens that have placed the physician workforce under extreme pressure during COVID-19 pandemic, the American Medical Association is urging the National Governors Association to support removing obstacles to preserving and expanding the physician workforce during the current public health emergency.
In a letter from AMA CEO and Executive Vice President James L. Madara, MD, to NGA Executive Director Bill McBride, the AMA warned some federal state and local directives related to COVID-19 pose potential liability risks to physicians. This vulnerability remains an obstacle to physicians seeking to fill workforce gaps during the COVID-19 pandemic. To remove this barrier, the AMA asked the Governor members of the NGA to adopt health care emergency response protections to support physicians willing to risk their own health and safety in the care of COVID-19 patients.
The AMA letter noted that many states have already taken action through executive order or state legislation to provide temporary liability protections to physicians and others providing care to COVID-19 patients. The AMA suggested actions by the governors of Connecticut and New York can serve as models for other states.
To download a PDF copy of the letter, click here.
Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19
(Fridays at 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern)
Lessons from the Front Lines calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians are invited to share their experience, ideas, strategies, and insights with one another related to their COVID-19 response. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters.
This week’s Lessons from the Front Lines:
Friday, April 24th at 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 877-251-0301 Access Code: 5096006
