American Medical Association

American Medical Association (AMA), U.S. federation of state medical organizations. It was established in 1847 for the purpose of advancing medical knowledge, raising standards of medical education and practice, improving public health, and furthering the interests of the medical profession in general. AMA national headquarters are in Chicago Ill. Its various sections publish the weekly Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and other specialized periodicals. Through its powerful national and state lobbies, the AMA has great influence on legislation.