The American Medical Association is hedging its bets that the next president and/or Congress are not going to be Republican and that more healthcare reform is inevitable. It has dropped out of an industry group called the Partnership for America's Health Care Future. That group, which includes the health insurer's trade association, America's Health Insurance Plans, as well as the American Hospital Association and a raft of other pro-industry groups has been fighting any serious healthcare reform proposal that involves expanding the Affordable Care Act.
That's what reportedly drove the AMA away. Politico reports that "multiple individuals with knowledge of the decision" say that the coalition's opposition to even moderate proposals like Joe Biden's plan to reform the ACA to include a public option forced the break. The AMA agreed in an annual meeting this summer that it would study the feasibility of a public option to the ACA. In a statement to Politico confirming the break, AMA CEO James Madara said "Missing in the recent debate is an ongoing discussion of practical solutions that will result in more affordable insurance options. […] The AMA decided to leave the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future so that we can devote more time to advocating for these policies that will address current coverage gaps and dysfunction in our health care system."
Trying to put lipstick on the break, the coalition said "Our diverse and fast-growing coalition strongly agrees with the American Medical Association that Medicare for all is the wrong approach for America’s health care and we have appreciated the opportunity to work with them throughout the past year." They also doubled down on resisting anything that would actually improve our system. "Vice President Biden's proposal for a new government insurance system through a 'public option' would undermine the progress our nation has made and ultimately lead our nation down the path of a one-size-fits-all health care system run by Washington," executive director Lauren Crawford Shaver said.
Other member organizations attribute it to a new generation of doctors who support making health care more affordable and accessible for everyone taking over the AMA from older doctors who "remain wary of expanding government-run coverage." Perhaps the younger doctors are more receptive to what their patients are telling them. Or maybe they are aware of how every other economically advanced nation provides care. Or maybe the AMA wants to be a constructive part of the discussion and doesn't want to be left behind.