AMA’s first gay president worries about ‘political interference’ in medicine | World news

The first openly gay person to lead the American Medical Association takes the reins at a dark time for US health care.

Transgender patients and those seeking abortion care face restrictions in many areas. The medical judgment of doctors is overridden by state laws. Disinformation is rampant. And the country is not finished with COVID-19.

In the two years since Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld first became involved with the AMA as a young national medical resident, the nation’s largest physician association has tried to shed its image as a self-proclaimed trade union. Conservative. While medical journal issues are a major focus, the AMA is also a powerful lobbying force for many public health issues.

Two years ago, the AMA received widespread praise for issuing a declaration to dismantle structural racism within its ranks and the US medical establishment. He has adopted policies that worry health equity and adoption — moves that have inspired critics to accuse him of “stealing.”

At 44, Ehrenfeld will be among the AMA’s youngest executives when he begins a one-year term on May 13. An anesthesiologist, Navy veteran and father of two young children, he recently spoke to The Associated Press about his background and new job. .

The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Q. Why is your being part of the LGBTQ community such a big deal at the moment and how will that inform your role as AMA President?

A: I don’t act like gay. That’s not my platform, but it’s part of my identity. And people know that.

Representation and visibility are very important. I can’t tell you the number of emails, letters, phone calls, text messages that I received when I was appointed to this role from people around the world who saw this as an important moment, an important recognition of what integration and equality are. may be to help advance health equity for all.

Q: How has your experience being part of the LGBTQ community informed and influenced your new role?

A: I have experienced the health care system as a gay person, as a gay parent, as in many ways wonderful positive experiences and in other ways, some deeply hurtful experiences. And I know we can do better as a country. We can do better as a system that can raise health. And I hope there will be opportunities to shine a light on that during my year as President.

Question: What are examples of those experiences?

A: There are many times where our health care system just doesn’t accommodate people who don’t have the majority. As a gay parent and a gay father, I can’t tell you how many forms I fill out where there is a place for moms and a place for dads. It’s a small thing. But it is a signal that we are different and we may or may not agree.

When you have small, subtle irritations that add up day after day after day, whether you are an LGBT person or from a minority group, that causes stress. These points of friction… are telling for many in the underserved community, many in the LGBT community, and especially for transgender individuals. And I know we can do better.

I have been fortunate to have two beautiful boys brought into this world with the support of an amazing team of doctors. But of course there are many moments along the way where it’s clear that we’re a little bit different than everyone else in a way that doesn’t need to be.

Question: This seems like an unprecedented time for political interference in medicine.

A: I am very concerned about government intrusion into decision making for patients. The Supreme Court ruling around abortion has had profound implications for reproductive rights. And fundamentally, patients have the right to access evidence-based health care services. That includes comprehensive reproductive health care. It includes treatment for transgender people.

States that ban abortion, that ban health care for transgender youths are placing the government right on the patient-doctor relationship. And we know that this leads to serious health consequences and can endanger lives. The AMA continues to speak out against these types of practices.

Q: What power does the AMA really have to protect those rights?

A: I don’t think we are powerless at all. The AMA has been instrumental in helping the Biden Administration produce guidance to help doctors and patients understand that you do not have to disclose private medical information to third parties. And we will continue to call for things like unrestricted access to (the abortion drug) mifepristone.

Question: Are you overwhelmed by the number of states that seem to be jumping on this bandwagon?

A: I hope so. There are distinct political parties that are different now. The attack on science, the attack on evidence-based treatment is new. Globally, it has been fast during the pandemic, but the misinformation, the information – all those challenges are what I know we can overcome. You need the AMA to raise our voices and not give up.

Question: Is addressing the nation’s mental health crisis part of your role?

A: We need Congress to act. It has now been 15 years of repeated failures by health care agencies to comply with what was a landmark law in 2008 around mental health standards and substance use disorders.

That law passed by Congress has not been implemented. Those crimes continue to be more serious than they were a decade ago.

It affects patients with autism. It affects patients with eating disorders, substance use disorders. It delays treatment. It hurts the patients.

And we are probably causing deaths that could have been avoided. We know there are federal actions that can be taken to help with this, including allowing patients to recover losses associated with improper care.

Another area around mental health access that is really important is ever expanding access to television.

Q: Critics have long said that the AMA is primarily a personal trade association. How bad is that idea?

A: We have a very simple message, and that is to elevate the art and technology of medicine for the betterment of human health. And that’s why we care about things like climate change and things like health equity.

We have to make sure that there is joy in medicine. We have to make sure that our health care systems are rewarded and supported and allow practices to thrive.

And you see the boneheaded decisions like the fact that doctors received a 2% payment from Medicare last January as opposed to an additional update. Those are the things that matter. They have money.

But without advocacy in those areas, practices will close. Healthy patients will not have a doctor to see. And we just can’t allow that to happen.