Student Scholarship

Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

This report provides a descriptive study of physician representation within the national government, specifically focusing on the structure and history of the American Medical Association Washington Office. The American Medical Association was established in 1847 to elevate medical education standards and promote the interests of the medical profession. Despite its long history, the Association did not establish a formal Washington office until 1944. This development was spurred by a growing need to inform physicians of pending legislation and to bring professional medical opinions to the nation's capital. The office initially operated with a minimal staff under its first director, Dr. Joseph S. Lawrence, but expanded significantly over the following decade to include physicians, attorneys, and editorial experts. 

The Washington office functions as a listening post and a disseminator of information rather than a policy-making body. Its primary duties include analyzing new bills, keeping Congress informed of Association attitudes, and assisting witnesses who appear before Congressional committees. The office maintains close liaison with federal agencies such as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Department of Defense. In 1956 alone, the office followed 571 medical measures and monitored federal health spending that exceeded two billion dollars. Notable legislative interests included the Association's support for the Hill-Burton hospital construction program and its vigorous opposition to social security amendments involving cash payments for disability. Ultimately, the report characterizes the Washington office as an essential outgrowth of a large professional group, serving as a vital link between the medical profession and the legislative and executive branches of the United States government.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: The American Medical Association (AMA) required a specialized Washington, D.C., office to transition from a reactive posture toward medical legislation to an active "listening post" and informative liaison between physicians and the national government. 

  • The Method: This descriptive study analyzes the AMA's historical development from its 1847 founding through 1956, focusing on the structural coordination between the Chicago headquarters and the Washington office staff, which included three physicians, three attorneys, and an editorial team. 

  • Quantitative Finding: In the 84th Congress, the Washington office tracked 571 medical measures and 154 days of hearings; the 1957 federal medical budget involved 21 agencies spending over $2.5 billion, averaging a cost of $15.17 per person in the United States. 

  • Qualitative Finding: The AMA utilized personal Congressional contacts, factual "Washington Letters" with a circulation of 8,000, and "grass-roots" pressure from 147,000 members to influence policy on issues like "Medicare" for military dependents, the "Doctor-Draft," and disability payments under Social Security.

Publication Date

1-1957

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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