AMA Says States, Not Federal Government Should Provide Physician Information to Patients

WASHINGTON - In testimony before the US House Committee on Commerce, the American Medical Association (AMA) said the responsibility for communicating relevant information to patients about their physicians belongs with individual states, not the federal government.

AMA President Elect Richard Corlin, MD said that the best approach to meet patients' needs is by enhancing the state-based systems already in place. He pointed to the physician licensing board in 29 states and the District of Columbia that have already initiated efforts to provide comprehensive physician information on their Web sites.

The AMA testimony marks the latest efforts to oppose federal legislation introduced by Rep. Tom Bliley (R-VA) that would open the National Practitioner Data Bank to the public. For more information visit www.ama-assn.org.