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AMA Backs House Health Bill

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 17, 2009 6:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – The American Medical Association has given the all-clear to the health care reform bill making it way through the House, the Hill reports. The endorsement from the nation's biggest doctors' group, which helped sink President Clinton's efforts at reforming health care, gave the Democrats a boost following the Congressional Budget Office's announcement that the bill would raise health care costs.

The bill "includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform," AMA's vice president wrote in his endorsement. Winning the backing of the traditionally conservative group is "a tremendous coup" for the Democrats, says one analyst, who predicts that other major groups like the AARP may now get behind President Obama's reforms.

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President Barack Obama walks on stage as he is introduced before delivering remarks on health care reform at the annual meeting of the American Medical Association last month. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The American Medical Association, America's biggest doctors organization, has given its endorsement to President Obama's health care overhaul. (Shutter Stock)

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AMA’s support should not be underestimated. Quite honestly, it has been difficult to win the support of this organization going all the way back to the 1930s. - Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.)

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