Medical Student Section (MSS) policymaking

Whether you are brand new to the Medical Student Section (MSS) or a seasoned member, you have the power to shape AMA policy and action on the issues most important in medicine.

Resolutions are the primary way advocacy is conducted within the AMA. Resolutions adopted by the AMA House of Delegates become AMA policy. This helps direct the advocacy of the organization when interfacing with federal and state governments and other entities. The MSS may write, adopt and send resolutions to the AMA House of Delegates, giving MSS a voice in the AMA.

A resolution is a proposal that asks the MSS or AMA to take a position and/or an action. A resolution consists of at least one directive to take action or a new/amended position statement accompanied by supporting statements or facts. A resolution should:

• Identify a problem
• Provide a logical argument for why physicians should care about the problem
• Propose a solution

MSS members may submit resolutions on important topics in medicine that existing AMA policy and MSS positions currently do not address. Before submitting a resolution, review the MSS Digest (PDF, members only) to see resolutions previously adopted by the MSS and visit the AMA’s PolicyFinder to see if AMA policy already exists on the resolution idea.

MSS members may submit resolutions for consideration at the MSS Assembly which meets twice annually, in June and November. The MSS policy cycle runs twice a year, from January to June (for the June Annual Meeting) and from July to November (for the November Interim Meeting).

Resolution author guide

The MSS Resolution Author Guide (PDF, members only) is the most important resource for authoring a resolution in the MSS. Most questions about how to start a resolution, how the process generally works, and how to find useful resources can be found in the guide.

Anyone interested in writing a resolution must submit their ideas to the MSS Open Forum prior to the annual or interim meetings. MSS resolutions must be submitted using the MSS resolution template (DOCX, members only). Resolutions that do not follow the template may not be considered.

MSS policy cycle

MSS resolutions undergo multiple rigorous reviews by various MSS leaders with different types of expertise. Resolutions are then opened for public comment by any MSS member. Resolutions are ultimately debated at the live, in-person MSS Assembly at each AMA Annual and Interim Meeting.

• Jan. 5, 2024: Open forum opens
• Feb. 11, 2024: Open forum closes
• March 3, 2024: Draft resolution deadline
• March 31, 2024: Final resolution deadline
• April 8, 2024: Virtual Reference Committee opens
• April 21, 2024: Virtual Reference Committee closes
• May 20, 2024: MSS Reference Committee report released
• May 30, 2024: Virtual extraction deadline
• June 6-7, 2024: MSS Annual Meeting in Chicago

The MSS Governing Council wants every MSS member's voice to be heard. If you have a concern or new idea you would like addressed or brought to the attention of the MSS, fill out the action item request form.

Before submitting the form make sure to:

• Review instructions on submitting an impactful action item (PDF, members only)
• Explore the current action items digest (PDF, members only)

• MSS Resolution Author Guide (PDF, members only)
• MSS Digest of Actions (PDF, members only): See actions of the MSS Assembly, organized by topic.
• Summary of MSS Assembly actions 1999-2022 (PDF, members only): See actions of the MSS Assembly, organized by meeting.
• 2023 MSS Interim Meeting Summary of Actions (PDF, members only)
• AMA Policy Finder: Search for policies adopted by the AMA House of Delegates.
• Federal and state correspondence finder: Search for AMA testimony, comment letters and sign-on letters guided by AMA policy and submitted to federal and state governments or other entities.
• Litigation Center case summary finder: Search for information on AMA’s engagement in lawsuits relating to medicine.

The MSS policy process is directed by the MSS section delegates. Please reach out to them with any questions.

• Raj Reddy ([email protected])
• Laurie Lapp ([email protected])