Despite a growing healthcare economy, The American Medical Association (AMA) announced they were laying off 100 workers, about 8% of their total workforce.
According to The Chicago Tribune, the AMA would not disclose specific areas where revenue shortfalls exist. Sources close to the group, however, say the group generates a substantial amount of revenue from its publishing operations that have been hit hard from the loss of advertising revenue, particularly from print publications.
One Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) insider says, the anti-industry articles and opinions that Catherine DeAngelis, M.D. Editor-in-Chief regularly publishes has been turning away advertising at an alarming rate. They anticipate this trend to continue as long as she is Editor. It is one thing to hate industry; it is another to rub it in their face.
It is also not helpful that Dr. DeAngelis is currently under investigation for intimidating a Professor and the Dean at his small medical school for publishing an article in the British Medical Journal critical of JAMA.
Hopefully the AMA will wake-up and realize that the loss of revenue (which was blamed on the economy) can be slowed down by her departure.
I am certain the remaining AMA employees are equally concerned and looking for an end to this crisis, we wish them the best.