FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 19, 2000
Contact: Tim Clarke, Jr., AMSA Director of Public Relations
Daytime Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207

Reston, VA, September 18, 2000-The following is a statement issued today by Sindhu Srinivas, MD, national president of American Medical Student Association, the nation's largest, independent medical student organization, following news reports of an offer from Cuba to train American physicians:

"The health of our nation is in a state of dire crisis. The number of uninsured Americans is climbing dramatically. The areas of the country that are not adequately served by a physician are swelling. The American people cannot get a commitment from either major presidential candidate to develop a real, comprehensive solution to our problems, and Congress spins its collective wheels on partisan politics and pandering to special interests.

So, who has generously offered to help us solve this problem? The poor, communist island nation of Cuba. Cuban lawmakers recently outlined an offer to send doctors to poor parts of the United States, and to provide free medical training in Cuba annually to 500 Americans from underrepresented populations.

A generous offer, yet a pathetic statement on American priorities. One solution to our crisis already exists but goes underfunded by lawmakers. The National Health Service Corps provides full scholarships to future physicians in exchange for a promise to practice in underserved areas such as rural counties and urban centers. But this important program may go without necessary reauthorization during this election year. Congress must reauthorize the Corps as one step toward addressing the larger issues of increasing access to health care for underserved Americans.

Day after day, the number of uninsured Americans rises and polls demonstrate that a majority of Americans want universal health care. Underserved communities lack access to healthcare services and medical schools are not admitting the doctors that our country needs. However, all we hear from our presidential candidates is rhetoric about a second-rate prescription drug plan for seniors. We need to demand a real solution. It is an insult to the intelligence of the American people that the candidates do not propose real solutions to problems that the people of America face. It is time to demand action and sincere answers to our growing problems. Cuba recognizes that, why can't we?"