I've heard the AMA limits the number of doctors coming into the system. Can you prove this?

Question

I would like some good evidence that this is true, and how it is done.

Answer 1

It isn't the AMA, though they do have influence. There are a lot of limiting factors, but the biggest may be residency programs rather than medical schools, and the largest limiting factor there is federal funding. Both medical school and residency programs are extraordinarily expensive things to run, and the focus for ages now has been on cost containment, not availability.

Answer 2

The AMA is useless.  They do nothing for physicians, which is why I am not a member.  If anything, they sell us out, and are partly responsible for the mess we're in today.

Medical schools and residency programs do limit the number of trainees.  Specific medical specialty boards may be involved in those decisions.

Answer 3

I personally cannot prove this but here is a link to the AMA's website:

http://www.ama-assn.org

There should be contact information which may assist you with your inquiry.