American Medical Association (AMA)

Founded in 1847, the American Medical Association (AMA), the leading organization representing medical doctors in the United States, is a powerful force influencing health-care policy and spending in the country. When first organized, the AMA focused on developing a code of ethics for medical practitioners. Later, in 1883, they established the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a premier medical journal highly quoted and influential among the medical establishment. In the early 20th century the American Medical Association established its medical school accreditation program, controlling quality and growth of the number of physicians in the country.
U.S. health care accounts for over 13 percent of gross domestic product annually, significantly more than the amount spent in other industrialized countries in the world. Critics of the American Medical Association argue that the organization represents the interests of the medical industry at the expense of American consumers. Supporters counter that the AMA has a long history of ensuring high-quality medical care in the country. The American Medical Association is a leading political action committee in Washington.