Op-ed writer, AMA trade barbs over store clinic safety

Patient Safety Monitor Alert

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August 1, 2007

Washington Post op-ed contributor Regina Herzlinger blasted the American Medical Association (AMA) for putting profits over patients in their opposition to in-store medical clinics. The AMA fired back the next day, arguing that Herzlinger's column distorted the organization's record in fighting for patient safety.

Herzlinger, senior fellow at the conservative free market think tank the Manhattan Institute, called the AMA's opposition to the clinics a move to protect physicians' "turf." The clinics offer faster service to patients for small medical ailments and routine screenings, and the electronic record keeping most employ offer seamless communication of medical information to physicians and hospitals, she wrote.

Edward Langston, AMA chairman of the board, fired back in a letter to the editor, saying the AMA has always been committed to patient safety, and offered a list of different efforts the organization has taken in that area. He said the group opposes the clinics because there are not enough checks to ensure patient safety.