Who We Are:
AAPS is a national association of physicians dedicated to preserving freedom in the one-on-one patient-physician relationship.  AAPS members believe this patient-physician relationship must be protected from all forms of third-party intervention.  Since its founding in 1943, AAPS has been the only national organization consistently supporting the principles of the free market in medical practice.

What We've Done:
AAPS has successfully fought in the courts for the rights of patients and physicians. Victories have included:

• protecting physicians against threats of HHS sanctions for unassigned billing for laboratory tests at a time when such billing was perfectly legal (AAPS v. Bowen I and II);
• establishing the right of physicians to be heard in federal court in a challenge to a fee freeze (Whitney v. Heckler);
• challenging HCFA's attempt to abrogate the freedom of patients and physicians to contract privately if no Medicare benefits are claimed (Stewart v. Sullivan);
• bringing to light the illegal secret operations of the President's Task Force on Health Care Reform (AAPS v. Clinton).

AAPS sponsors seminars throughout the country to instruct physicians in economic, legal, and political issues pertinent to the practice of medicine.  AAPS testifies on invitation before committees in the US Senate and House of Representatives .
AAPS networks with physician and patient groups to inform the public about true free market reforms (such as Health Savings Accounts) as an alternate to more-of-the-same nostrums that caused the crisis in medical costs.

Why You Should Join Us:
You'll have access to the AAPS Limited Legal Consultation Service, an information and consulting service, which will provide you with answers to a wide range of legal questions in the field of health law. This service is available to members only.  You'll receive AAPS News, a monthly newsletter full of the latest information on what's new in the world of private medicine-including a monthly legislative update.  You'll have the opportunity to attend AAPS meetings and become acquainted with other members of the Delta Force of private medicine. You'll receive periodic Action Alerts about pending legislation and regulations. You'll receive The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, a peer-reviewed quarterly that fearlessly takes on the controversial issues, even if it makes the establishment "uncomfortable."