Policy Promotion Grants
Writing a Resolition
Resolution Examples
 

AMA-MSS Policy Promotion Grants help put our student programs into action. These grants are available to medical student groups interested in conducting projects and activities designed to further AMA policy (which cover about anything you can imagine). Student groups are eligible to receive $250 per project, with each school limited to one grant project per month. Grants of more than $250 are available on a case-by-case basis. The review committee conducts a monthly review of applications received by the fifth of the month. Please submit this application before the event.

Application

1.THE IDEA Resolutions begin with YOU. Each year on medical school campuses across the country students identify meaningful issues to present to the MSS Assembly at the Interim and Annual meetings. Medical students have authored resolutions in the areas of public health, medical education, consumer safety, medical licensure, financial aid, and insurance. The policy-making process begins with a specific idea, which must be turned into a resolution. The only guideline is that the topic chosen should be important, relevant, and deserving of official AMA and AMA-MSS policy.  2. THE BACKGROUND A fundamental element of resolution writing is the background research of AMA policy. Background research is essential for strengtheningyour "whereas" clauses, the factual clauses which support the resolution. This research will also uncover whether or not the subject of your resolution is already included in AMA policy. AMA positions and opinions can be found in the AMA Policy Compendium, while the MSS Digest of Actions provides a summary of MSS policy. These resources can be obtained through your chapter library, local or state medical society, or through the AMA Department of Medical Student Services (DMSS) @ 1-800-AMA-3211. DMSS staff will be happy to provide assistance with obtaining background material and will answer any questions concerning your resolution.

4. THE LEGALREVIEW
Each resolution is sent to the AMA where it is checked and put into the proper AMA format, assigned a number and, if necessary, a fiscal note. It is then assigned to an AMA-MSS reference committee. The most persuasive resolutions provide convincing information and facts and clearly state the proposed action to be taken.

5. THE REFERENCECOMMITTEE
Resolutions are assigned to reference committees based upon their content. Each reference committee conducts an open hearing where any MSS member may speak and offer his/her opinion on a specific resolution. The reference committee is composed of five medical student members who listen carefully to the testimony and make knowledgeable recommendations on the resolutions, issued in the form of a report to the Assembly. The committee may recommend to adopt a resolution, issue a substitute resolution to modify the original, not adopt, or refer the resolution for further study.

6. THE ASSEMBLY VOTE
The MSS Assembly meets at their formal Business Meeting to consider and vote on the reports of the reference committees. The Assembly may follow the reference committee's recommendation or take other action during floor debate. Delegates from each medical school then vote on whether or not to adopt the reference committee's recommendation for the resolution.

7. THE POLICY
A resolution becomes official AMA-MSS policy when it is adopted by the Assembly. The policy is then assigned to the appropriate AMA staff, department or office for implementation. External resolutions proceed to the AMA House of Delegates. In the AMA-HOD, only a delegate representing a state, specialty society or AMA section may introduce a resolution. The policy-making process continues, medical students provide testimony on their resolutions at the HOD reference committee hearings, and the resolution becomes official AMA policy when it is adopted by the AMA House of Delegates.

Examples of Resolutions