bobfox

I pointed Borzak to the post not to reference the financing. That was a different issue. At the time it was taken from statements in the EC Minutes. If you wish, look back and see the statements that were made in those minutes. Ultimately, the EVP said that he had used the term in an improper manner to make a point to the EC and that the person taking the minutes used them as well. Very much the position that you take. There were several items unrelated to this current discussion addressed in my e-mail exchange with Dave Brown. It was an election based discussion and off topic for this discussion.

The AMA does have a budget. The budget has been altered during the year, in most of the years that you reference, basically, in order to make sure there has not been deficit financing.

The reason that I did point Borzak there, was DB's statement about the reason the money was put into Muncie to begin with. The last line of Borzak's post was a lament about Muncie.

Recently, I asked an EC member "Tell me, why does the AMA need so much money?" His statement was that there is approximately 3/4 of a million outstanding on negotiated settlements and another potential 3/4 of a million on claims that have not yet been negotiated/settled. That leaves a surplus of 3.5 million to reassure the insurance company and banks that the AMA will remain solvent. Those numbers do not show in the financial statement from 2002, they are more current.

Unfortunately, what the membership does or does not understand has little value. The only input that the membership has is to vote. I do agree with you that the information should be available to the membership, and it is.

I have never seen or heard anyone at the EC or HQ level claim that the entire dues increase was due to, or for, increased insurance. Many members assumed that it was. To some extent, the EC hoped to be able to restore some of the spending cuts they made to keep the budget balanced. They have also said that it was raised more than necessary so that anticipated future insurance increases could be funded without having to raise dues again soon. That now appears to have been a fairly accurate projection, as higher insurance costs eat at the marginal difference each year.

The current EVP begs off e-mail and the net as not being a typist. If you have questions, he does pick up the phone if you call him. I have found most of the leadership quite accessible.

JR