OMA BOT Book 4.24.2024

house, an effort was made to call it “medically complicated” obesity vs. just obesity. This would have invalidated the resolution suggesting obesity is really a secondary process, not primary. Delegates are entrusted to make the best decisions they can. The AMA meetings have many important parts. These include: 1. House of delegates opening session: The meeting starts with all delegates meeting for the opening session. The president addresses the entire AMA and timely issues can be presented. No official decisions are made, but it sets the tone for the meeting. 2. Reference committees: this is where each item of business is debated. All delegates can testify for or against resolutions, recommend edits or additions, etc. These occur in parallel – multiple reference committee meetings happen at the same time. There are typically about 8 reference committee meetings, anywhere from 4 to 8 can be happening at the same time. Immediately prior to the first reference committee meetings, the HOD meets and agrees on the order of business. 3. Reference committee reports – these are released after the reference committee meetings, but prior to the house re-opening. Often, they are available just before the house reconvenes. Sometimes not all reports are complete in time for the second opening of the house. Again, reviewing these takes several hours. Typically, state, regional and specialty societies meet and task different constituents with reviewing the different reference committee reports. 4. House of delegates meeting: The house meets for two days to deliberate all of the recommendations from the reference committee. Every delegate can extract resolutions. Those not extracted are adopted (or not adopted, or adopted as amended – per the reference committee reports) as new AMA policy. Those extracted are debated on the floor, then voted on. 5. Other meetings: There are countless other meetings during the AMA. These include state and specialty society meetings, regional meetings, resident / fellow / student meetings, special interest meetings. Many delegates may be plugged in to many other meetings – for example, as a family doctor I can attend open AAFP meetings. As a Denver resident I can attend Colorado meetings and Western Mountain States meetings. As a specialty society, I can attend SSS (specialty society) meetings. It is at these meetings where we can build coalitions and expand our voice. 6. Obesity Caucus: Dr. Ethan Lazarus formed an obesity caucus within the AMA after the AMA recognized obesity as a disease in 2013. We meet to discuss issues relevant to obesity at every AMA meeting. All are invited to attend. Here we can update other organizations on important developments, draft and introduce new policy, and ask attendees to carry our message back to their state and specialty societies. I strongly request at least 1 staffer from the OMA attend EVERY meeting to organize the caucus meeting. 7. Politics: there are countless receptions at the AMA. Many are to support delegates running for positions within the AMA. It is appropriate for the OMA delegate(s) to seek other positions. This may include serving on a reference committee or even running for the board.