People's Medical Society

People's Medical Society. Founded in 1983 by Charles B. Inlander and Sally R. Inlander, the People's Medical Society was a pioneering national nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy within the American healthcare system. Operating from its headquarters in Allentown, Pennsylvania, it functioned as a critical voice for patient rights and informed consent during a period of significant transformation in medical practice and health insurance. The organization promoted the concept of the patient as an empowered consumer, challenging traditional doctor-patient dynamics and advocating for greater transparency in medical costs and treatment options.

History

The People's Medical Society was established during a decade marked by rising health care costs and growing public skepticism toward the medical establishment, influenced by works like Ivan Illich's critique of institutional medicine. Its formation was a direct response to the perceived lack of consumer representation in health policy debates dominated by groups like the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association. Under the sustained leadership of Charles B. Inlander, the society quickly grew its membership, leveraging media appearances and grassroots campaigns to influence public discourse. It remained active for nearly three decades, navigating shifts in the healthcare landscape from the managed care era of the 1990s to the debates preceding the Affordable Care Act, before ceasing operations in 2012.

Mission and activities

The core mission centered on empowering individuals to take control of their health decisions by providing accessible, critical information and advocating for systemic change. Key activities included publishing investigative guides on hospitals, doctors, and prescription drugs, and conducting nationwide surveys on patient experiences. The society was known for its assertive advocacy, lobbying for legislation to protect patients from medical malpractice and unfair insurance practices, and it often testified before Congress and state legislatures. It also organized public forums and workshops to educate consumers on navigating Medicare, comparing HMO plans, and understanding medical procedures, effectively acting as a counterbalance to professional medical and insurance lobbies.

Publications and media

The organization was a prolific publisher, producing a wide array of books and newsletters that became its primary tools for public education. Its flagship publication, the People's Medical Society Newsletter, provided members with updates on health policy, drug safety alerts, and practical advice. Best-selling titles included *Take This Book to the Hospital with You* and *The People's Guide to Deadly Drug Interactions*, which were frequently cited in mainstream media like The New York Times and CNN. Charles B. Inlander became a frequent commentator on national television and radio, appearing on programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show and Good Morning America, which significantly amplified the society's reach and cemented its role as a trusted resource for health consumers.

Impact and legacy

The People's Medical Society had a profound impact on shifting the culture of American healthcare toward greater patient autonomy and transparency. Its advocacy contributed to the broader patients' rights movement, influencing policies that mandated the release of hospital mortality rates and clearer explanations of medical bills. The society's model of aggressive consumer health advocacy paved the way for subsequent organizations and online resources dedicated to medical consumerism. While it dissolved before the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, many of its core principles regarding price transparency and informed choice remain central to contemporary health reform debates and the operations of modern entities like Consumer Reports Health.

Organizational structure

As a 501(c)(3) organization, the society was governed by a board of directors and operated with a small professional staff headquartered in Pennsylvania. Its funding was derived primarily from membership dues, sales of its publications, and grants from foundations concerned with public health and consumer protection. The structure was deliberately lean, focusing resources on publishing and advocacy rather than building a large administrative apparatus. This model allowed it to maintain editorial independence from the pharmaceutical industry and medical device manufacturers, a point of pride that bolstered its credibility with the public during an era of increasing commercial influence in medicine.

Category:Healthcare organizations based in Pennsylvania Category:Consumer organizations in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1983 Category:Organizations disestablished in 2012