America's Health-Care Debate

Regarding the article "Doctors Try to Shape Clinton's Program to Reform Health Care," March 26: As a physician I am embarrassed at the actions of my colleagues as reported by the author. For too long the AMA has promoted physicians' interests to the detriment of our patients' increasingly unmet needs.

AMA physicians who still support the status quo ought to spend less time lobbying in Washington and more time listening to their patients' experiences of exclusion from the current system. Then perhaps they could contribute to the dialogue about health-care reform rather than being regarded as a member of a special-interest group. Marsha C. Holleman, Houston, Texas

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