The liberal group MoveOn is exploiting an interesting opening to both support health care reform and weaken the Chamber of Commerce.

Citing the American Medical Association's endorsement of House health care legislation, and the Chamber of Commerce's unapologetic opposition to it, MoveOn is calling for the AMA and the Chamber to part ways.

MoveOn is calling on their doctors to sign a petition demanding that the AMA pull out.

"The American Medical Association has been running ads for months supporting President Obama's health care plan," reads a letter from MoveOn to supportive doctors.

So why on earth is the AMA simultaneously helping fund a massive attack campaign to kill the bill?...

You've told us that you're a medical professional, and that gives you a powerful voice for reform. Can you sign our petition urging the AMA to stop funding opposition to health care reform and quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce?...

Then please forward this email to the other medical professionals you know who support reform.

The letter comes after several major businesses pulled out of the Chamber because of their climate change skepticism. According to MoveOn, 2000 doctors signed on within an hour of launch. You can read the entire letter below.

Dear Eileen,

The American Medical Association has been running ads for months supporting President Obama's health care plan.

So why on earth is the AMA simultaneously helping fund a massive attack campaign to kill the bill?

The AMA is a leading member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is spending millions on lobbyists and TV ads attacking the health care bill, calling it a crushing tax increase.1

You've told us that you're a medical professional, and that gives you a powerful voice for reform. Can you sign our petition urging the AMA to stop funding opposition to health care reform and quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce? Click here to add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/ama/?id=&t=3

Then please forward this email to the other medical professionals you know who support reform.

This year, the American Medical Association's support for health care reform has been crucial, and their endorsement of the House health care bill, including a public option, was important in helping that bill pass last weekend.2

But while the AMA has been publicly backing reform, they've also been helping fund a multi-million dollar campaign to kill the bill through the membership dues they pay to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Following the passage of the House health care bill last week, the Chamber launched yet another wave of attack ads against supporters of reform.3 Their ads are running all over the country, scaring voters with false claims of massive tax increases, "millions" of jobs lost, and a big "Washington takeover" of the health care system. They've even tried to stir up racist resentment to turn people against Obama's health plan.4

The AMA should stop funding the Chamber's outrageous attacks on health care reform. They should join companies, including Apple and Nike, that have backed away from the Chamber's extreme right-wing positions.

Sign this petition to urge the American Medical Association to quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Clicking here will add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/ama/?id=&t=4

Thank you for all you do.

-Steven, Noah, Kat, Nita, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Board of Directors," U.S. Chamber of Commerce, accessed November 12, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85174&id=&t=5

"U.S. Chamber Expresses Major Disappointment with Irresponsible House Health Care Legislation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce News, October 29, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85173&id=&t=6

"Millions," Employers for a Healthy Economy, November 12, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ngB7uiNk4

2. "AARP, AMA give House healthcare bill an 11th hour boost," Christian Science Monitor, November 5, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85182&id=&t=7

3. "Business Groups Launch Ads to Fell Senate Health Bill," The Hill, November 12, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85178&id=&t=9

4. "New Business-Group Ad Has Racial Undertones, Union Alleges," The Huffington Post, November 4, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85103&id=&t=10