HOUSTON — The American Medical Association, the nation’s largest association of doctors, is weighing in favor with gay rights activists on two hot button issues.
The group’s policy-making arm adopted resolutions claiming bans on same-sex marriage contribute to health-care disparities and the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy should be repealed.
“The AMA is making it clear that these discriminatory policies pose significant, real-life threats to the health and well-being of thousands of people across the country,” Rea Carey of the Gay & Lesbian Task Force said in a statement.
The AMA didn’t position itself about same-sex marriage’s legality because that’d be taking a political stance. However, the group said it was concerned about difficulties when unmarried gay couples try to extend heathcare benefits to his or her spouse.
The AMA said the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy violates docter-patient confidentiality and causes struggles to gays and lesbians fearful their will be jeopordized if they disclose they’re sexual orientation when talking about health matters.
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– Simon Husted
