Every year, physicians across Pennsylvania have the opportunity to directly shape organized medicine and healthcare policy through the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) House of Delegates.
And often, it starts with one physician asking:
“Why are we doing it this way?”
Or:
“Could this be improved?”
One of the most impactful ways ACMS members can help drive change is by submitting a resolution to the PAMED House of Delegates, which will take place this October at the Hershey Lodge.
During the House of Delegates meeting, elected physician delegates from across Pennsylvania, including the Allegheny County Delegation, review proposed resolutions submitted by physicians and county medical societies throughout the state. Delegates hear testimony, discuss the proposals, and vote on whether to:
- Adopt the resolution as official PAMED policy
- Refer the topic for further study
- Or decline adoption
Those policies often go on to shape statewide advocacy priorities and, in some cases, influence policy discussions at the national level through the AMA.
So…What Does the Process Actually Look Like?
For many physicians, the idea of “writing a resolution” sounds intimidating or overly formal. In reality, the process usually begins with a simple idea or concern related to patient care, physician practice, public health, or the healthcare system.
You do not need to be an expert in parliamentary procedure or policy writing to get involved.
Here’s what the process generally looks like:
Step 1: Identify an Issue
Think about challenges you are seeing in practice or areas where medicine could improve.
Some examples include:
- Prior authorization burdens
- Physician wellness and burnout
- AI in healthcare
- Scope of practice concerns
- Public health initiatives
- Administrative burden
- Medical education
- Insurance issues
- Patient safety concerns
Many meaningful policy changes within organized medicine began as concerns raised by frontline physicians.
Step 2: Share Your Idea with ACMS
Any PAMED member can author a resolution, including ACMS members, residents, and medical students. However, resolutions must ultimately be introduced by an official delegate to the House of Delegates.
The good news? You do not have to figure this out alone.
ACMS Delegation leadership is happy to help members brainstorm ideas, review drafts, and guide them through the process. We’ve created a simple Resolution Idea Form to help get the conversation started:
https://form.jotform.com/261266055016047
Even if your idea is still rough or not fully developed, we encourage you to submit it. Some of the best advocacy discussions begin with a physician simply sharing a frustration or concern they are experiencing firsthand.
Step 3: Review Existing PAMED Policy
Before drafting a resolution, it is helpful to review existing PAMED policy to avoid duplicating work that has already been done through prior House of Delegates actions.
Members can review the current PAMED Policy Compendium here (member login required):
https://www.pamedsoc.org/PolicyCompendium
Step 4: Draft the Resolution
Once an idea is developed, the resolution is written into a formal format that outlines:
- The issue or concern
- Background/context
- The proposed action or policy request
PAMED staff can help authors navigate formatting questions and determine whether a fiscal note is needed if the proposal could have a financial impact to the organization.
PAMED also offers a helpful “Resolutions 101” fact sheet that explains formatting, terminology, and the overall process:
https://www.pamedsoc.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/resolutions-101-fact-sheet.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=bc890e1f_1
Don’t Let the Process Intimidate You
If you’ve never written a resolution before, you are absolutely not alone.
In fact, many physicians have excellent ideas but assume the process is too complicated or time-consuming. PAMED is working to make the process more accessible this year by offering Resolution Writing Office Hours for members interested in discussing ideas or learning more.
All stages of ideas are welcome — even if your concept is still in the early brainstorming phase.
PAMED Resolution Writing Office Hours
- June 15 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- June 17 | 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
- June 17 | 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
These sessions are designed to help members:
- Understand the resolution process
- Refine ideas
- Ask questions
- Receive guidance from PAMED staff
- Learn how resolutions move through the House of Delegates
Additional information on the PAMED House of Delegates resolution process can be found here:
https://www.pamedsoc.org/house-of-delegates/resolutions/2026-resolutions/2026-hod-resolution-submission-form
Why It Matters
The House of Delegates remains one of the most important physician-led policymaking bodies in Pennsylvania medicine.
At a time when physicians are navigating rapid changes in healthcare delivery, technology, reimbursement, public health, and physician autonomy, grassroots physician engagement matters more than ever.
Your voice, your experiences, and your ideas can help shape advocacy priorities not only for PAMED, but potentially at the national level through the AMA as well.
We encourage ACMS members, residents, and medical students to consider participating in the process this year.
Interested in becoming a Delegate in 2027? Visit the ACMS Nominations page to learn more:
https://www.acms.org/nominations/
Nomination forms are due by July 15.