Policymaking
The Arizona Medical Association is physician-led and patient-focused. Our members drive organized medicine forward through year-round policymaking. By drafting, proposing, and adopting healthcare-related policies, our members steer the association's strategy.
Become a member to begin participating in our policymaking process!
What is Policymaking?
Policymaking is a core function of organized medicine.
It is the process by which members of the Arizona Medical Association decide where our organization should spend its time, energy, and resources. By proposing policies, members can direct the association to take action or a position on specific health care issues. If adopted, policies are added to our compendium and referenced by leadership, staff, and others.
All members are welcome to submit policies for consideration and comment on policies proposed by their colleagues. Eligible members are invited to vote.
The Policymaking Process
ArMA's policymaking process is conducted online several times each year. Members are encouraged to get involved every step of the way:
Call for Proposals
During an annually recurring submission window, all members are welcome to submit a policy proposal. Authors should reference ArMA's Policy Compendium and drafting guidelines before submitting their proposal.
Committee Review
ArMA's Reference Committee — comprised of volunteer physicians, residents & fellows, and medical students — meets to determine which submitted proposals meet the submission criteria. Accepted proposals advance. Rejected proposals are sent back to the authors for further revision.
Call for Comments
Policies advanced by ArMA's Reference Committee are posted online for members to review. All members are encouraged to provide their feedback on the policies, including notes for expansion, clarification, and more.
These comments are then considered by the Reference Committee as it determines its final recommendation for each policy.
Call for Votes
Eligible members receive a personalized ballot to vote on whether the proposed policies should be adopted. Ballots include recommendations from the Reference Committee based on member feedback.
Eligible members include full-time physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students. Affiliate and out-of-state members are not eligible to vote.
What Happens to Adopted Policies?
Adopted policies are added to ArMA's Policy Compendium, which influences our legislative agenda, stance on key issues, strategic goals, and more.
Adopted policies instruct ArMA's Board of Directors on the strategy and operation of the association.
Adopted policies serve as a benchmark for the ArMA Advocacy Team when addressing state legislative issues.
How to Draft Policy Proposals
Research is the first step in developing a resolution. Solid data must support the requested action, and the resolution must be considered in light of the issue's overall history — including current ArMA actions, past policies, and positions of other organizations.
Rules for Writing an Effective Policy
Submission Criteria
To ensure high-quality and relevant submissions, ArMA's Reference Committee reviews proposed policies against the following criteria. If policies do not meet these benchmarks, then the Committee will ask the author to revise their language before resubmitting.
Does the resolution address a current need?
Does it reflect emerging health care trends?
Is it directly applicable to Arizona's healthcare,
physician, or patient communities?
Is it within ArMA's scope? If not, is it within the AMA's scope?
How to Get Involved
Governance Documents
Policy Compendium
A compilation of the association's currently adopted policies, positions, and stances, as approved by our members.
Bylaws
ArMA's bylaws are internal rules and regulations that outline how the organization is governed.
