Year: 2012
Resolution Number: 51
Action Taken: Approved as Amended
Status:
Author(s): Mohammed Arsiwala, MD
Sponsor: Dorothy Kahkonen, MD
On behalf of: Wayne County Delegation
Committee: C (Internal Affairs and Public Service) [Pre-2014]
Resolved Section(s):
RESOLVED: That MSMS work with Michigan Attorney General’s office and the Michigan Legislature to strengthen existing child abuse and felony statutes specific to female genital mutilation and female circumcision in the state of Michigan; and be it further RESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the AMA ask the AMA to amend the language of AMA Policy H-525.980 to read: (1) opposes the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) by any physicians or licensed practitioner in the United States; (2) considers FGM a form of child abuse; (3) supports legislation to eliminate the performance of female genital mutilation in the United States and to protect young girls and women at risk of undergoing the procedure; (4) supports that physicians who are requested to perform female genital mutilation on a patient provide culturally sensitive counseling to educate the patient and her family members about the negative health consequences of the procedure, and discourage them from having the procedure performed. Where possible, physicians should refer the patient to social support groups that can help them cope with changing societal mores; (5) supports physician reporting of any evidence of FGM noted during office visits or physical exams to child protective services and law enforcement as child abuse; and (6) will work to ensure that medical students, residents, and practicing physicians are made aware of the continued practice and existence of FGM in the United States, its physical effects on patients, and the requirements for reporting FGM.RATIONALE: The Committee heard considerable testimony supporting this resolution. It came to the attention of the Committee that there currently is existing Michigan law regarding FGM. The Committee recommended that the first resolved be eliminated as redundant and the second resolved be amended to ask for strengthening the existing state laws. The Committee also amended the third resolved to add a sixth subsection to address increased physician education about FGM.
RESOLVED: That MSMS work with Michigan Attorney General’s office and the Michigan Legislature to strengthen existing child abuse and felony statutes specific to female genital mutilation and female circumcision in the state of Michigan; and be it further RESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the AMA ask the AMA to amend the language of AMA Policy H-525.980 to read: (1) opposes the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) by any physicians or licensed practitioner in the United States; (2) considers FGM a form of child abuse; (3) supports legislation to eliminate the performance of female genital mutilation in the United States and to protect young girls and women at risk of undergoing the procedure; (4) supports that physicians who are requested to perform female genital mutilation on a patient provide culturally sensitive counseling to educate the patient and her family members about the negative health consequences of the procedure, and discourage them from having the procedure performed. Where possible, physicians should refer the patient to social support groups that can help them cope with changing societal mores; (5) supports physician reporting of any evidence of FGM noted during office visits or physical exams to child protective services and law enforcement as child abuse; and (6) will work to ensure that medical students, residents, and practicing physicians are made aware of the continued practice and existence of FGM in the United States, its physical effects on patients, and the requirements for reporting FGM.RATIONALE: The Committee heard considerable testimony supporting this resolution. It came to the attention of the Committee that there currently is existing Michigan law regarding FGM. The Committee recommended that the first resolved be eliminated as redundant and the second resolved be amended to ask for strengthening the existing state laws. The Committee also amended the third resolved to add a sixth subsection to address increased physician education about FGM.
Fiscal Note: NULL
Resolution: View PDF for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - Redefining AMA Policy H-525-980