The American Medical Association testified against enactment of Public Law 95-623, which established the National Center for Health Care Technology. The AMA took this position, not because assessment of medical technology is unimportant, but because the Association believes that more appropriate methods are in existence to evaluate medical technology. The AMA's position has not changed over the last two years, and therefore it testified against continuation of the Center before hearings held by the 97th Congress on proposed budget restrictions in the health field. The current Administration is proposing the elimination of the Center, with certain of its functions being transferred to another agency.
The AMA is proposing, in its own 1982 budget and program of work, evaluation of medical technology. This will be conducted by the AMA Council for Scientific Affairs and will use the Association staff, library facilities, journals, and ad hoc expert committees. Obviously, AMA technological assessments