Autopsy on the AMA: An Analysis of Healthcare Delivery Systems in America [1970]

Abstract

Prepared by: Cy Schoenfield, Janet Brown, Joe Woodard, Jeff Brown, Martin Brown, Charles Turner, Jill Hill Published in 1970 by Student Research Facility, Berkeley, California Reproduced from the US Heath Activism History Collection Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania "The United States (has) a quality of medical care unsurpassed anywhere," said Dr. Milford O. Rouse, President of the American Medical Association (the AMA) in 1967. His position at the pinnacle of the most powerful country's most powerful medical organization certainly gave him the authority to say that with confidence. "People respect doctors. In fact, 92% of the public feels most doctors can be trusted. People in the medical therapy professions are admired and the communities they serve reward them well for their work. Doctors averaged $31,400 a year in 1967 and their median income was $32,170 in 1968. These figures are approximately five times the average and median incomes for the general population. "Medically speaking, things seem to be going well. The drama of headlines about organ transplants and new medical advances in the laboratory also serve to indicate that the System that provides health care for Americans does its job splendidly. But does it, really?"