AMA ensures quality care

It's unfortunate that Regina Herzlinger has disparaged the nation's leading physician organization, as we share many of her frustrations with the current health-care system (AMA poses health threat, July 29).

Contrary to Herzlinger's assertions, the American Medical Association is a staunch champion for patients and physicians. Fighting insurance companies' monopolistic practices, working to stop Medicare cuts to doctors that will harm seniors' access to care and advocating health-care coverage for Americans are all top priorities of the AMA.

Physicians, with the AMA as their advocate, remain committed to improving patient safety. From helping to secure passage of patient safety legislation to convening experts to develop physician quality measures — the AMA leads on this issue.

Ensuring that store-based health clinics operate under the same strict regulations as physician offices and hospitals will help protect patients' safety and ensure high quality care. We want patients to have access to needed health care and recognize store-based clinics can be a good option for patients in need of routine care.

The AMA remains focused on ensuring patients have access to high quality health care, and we invite her to take a closer look at our efforts to improve the health-care system.

Edward Langston, M.D.

chairman of the board

American Medical Association

Chicago