A divided American Medical Association will consider withdrawing its support of a key tenet of the health overhaul law that requires Americans to purchase an insurance plan.
The Chicago-based national doctors group, which represents nearly a quarter-million physicians, is being asked by several medical societies within the organization to change its stance in favor of the "individual mandate." A formal vote comes up at the AMA's annual policymaking House of Delegates meeting Saturday through Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
The AMA's support of the health care legislation, which was passed by Congress and then signed into law in March 2010 by President Barack Obama, was seen as critical at the time the controversial legislation was being debated.
The delegates' debate comes following the filing of federal lawsuits by several attorneys general challenging the individual mandate. Legal challenges in general are contending that the mandate requiring Americans buy health coverage is unconstitutional and exceeds Congress' power to regulate commerce. Legal analysts expect the challenge to be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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