Twice a year, physicians come together for an exhibit of democracy at its best through the AMA House of Delegates meeting. Since 1901, physicians and medical student from every state and every qualifying medical specialty debate and vote on behalf of their peers during discussions that shape the AMA’s health care agenda. The work they do is intense, the opinions and debate are passionate. This representational-style system makes the AMA, without question, the umbrella organization of American medicine.

This week, the AMA House of Delegates met in Houston and again demonstrated its unique ability to bring together voices from across the profession to create a national consensus of physicians and medical students on health reform. I was honored to be a part of the civil debate on health reform at the nation’s broadest, most inclusive assembly of physicians and medical students.

Physicians at the meeting passionately defended their positions and then voted on a course forward for the AMA. At times there was fierce debate, but ultimately there was a clear final product – a shared vision on how to help physicians help patients.

The physician prescription for reform that emerged from this meeting reaffirmed the AMA’s commitment to health system reform. As the country’s foremost organization of physicians – for physicians – the AMA must continue in its role at the center of the health reform process.