AMA and TMA: partners for better health

United States Rep Charles W. Stenholm (D-Tex) has warned physicians, "The AMA can be effective only if members of Congress are convinced that this group truly represents their constituents. Until the AMA represents a majority of its self-proclaimed constituency, it won't be as effective as physicians across the country would like it to be." Texas Medical Association is the fourth largest delegation to the American Medical Association, but approximately 40% of the TMA membership does not belong to the national organization. Nationwide, approximately 60% of physicians have chosen not to join the AMA. TMA's House of Delegates recognizes the importance of a strong national organization and supports communication and recruitment activities to assure the state has maximum voluntary participation in the AMA. This article describes the AMA's activities as the physician's and the patient's advocate.