American Medical Association President Cecil Wilson addressed the topic of the Affordable Care Act on Friday in a lecture in Bryant Auditorium.

Wilson addressed a formally-dressed audience, discussing how they are now able to remain on their parent’s health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act. The act allows young adults under the age of 26 to retain health insurance through their parents’ plan.

Wilson discussed the benefits of this new law and issues within the medical field that AMA aims to address. In his lecture titled “The Affordable Care Act and Future of American Medicine,” sponsored by the Mizzou Medical Society, Wilson highlighted the new law, its implications for physicians and the next steps that must be taken toward reform.

“The Affordable Care Act represents a historic victory for America’s patients,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the Affordable Care Act has opened insurance coverage access to 32 million uninsured men, women and children, and has ensured that cancer patients are no longer denied coverage, among some of its benefits.

“His lecture was important,” graduate student Bill Xu said. “More people will get healthcare, and it helped me see how I can help people.”

Wilson said the Affordable Care Act also enables physicians to better serve patients.

“Health reform is a big deal for all practicing physicians such as myself,” graduate student Jena Swingle said.

Wilson emphasized many changes in health reform that will occur as of 2014, such as increased access to Medicaid. He also addressed issues in AMA’s agenda, such as projected physician shortages in America, as well as medical education debt.

“This law should not be viewed as the last step to a meaningful health system,” Wilson said.

Wilson encouraged the audience to become involved with AMA.

“First and foremost, the purpose of the lecture was to get the information about healthcare reform to the students and physicians, because we are all so busy that it seems like most do not take the time to actually research it for themselves to see how it will affect them,” Mizzou Medical Society Recruitment Chairman Cory Offutt said. “Second, it was to make students and physicians aware of the things that the AMA does for physicians and students, and how they can become involved as well.”

Offutt said Wilson succeeded in his purpose to inform medical students, faculty and the community audience of the new health care law and its effects.

Wilson said AMA will continue to work with the White House and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, among other organizations, to continue to push for health reform.