It is relatively clear that the AMA had special, selfish interests when it came to medical practice. They put their best foot forward to make sure that there would not be affordable and available doctors so they could only have high medical standards. The elites lobbied to the government to incentivize putting regulations on how one can practice medicine. They made it seem like these regulations were for the betterment of society, when it reality a majority of consumers, especially low - income ones, did not have the ability and convenience of a doctor they felt comfortable going to. The AMA shut down a majority of medical schools and increased the requirements, educationally and monetarily, to become a doctor, significantly reducing the amount of people that desired to practice medicine to the best of their ability. Only the rich and privileged really benefitted from the actions of the AMA, and limited the amount of doctors that consumers had the choice to go to. In my own life I can still see the effects of this, as there was only one ocularist in the entire state of Michigan that I could go to, and he wasn't even as high quality of a doctor that I needed. If more people were allowed to practice medicine, I could potentially have found someone cheaper and safer that I could go to for a better convience.
Great personal connection and I am sorry you had to feel these repercussions. Low income individuals should have access to healthcare even if it is of a slightly lower quality, then to have no access at all.
I liked how you brought your own personal story and related it to this. And I agree, the regulations were really only benefiting those who were financially able.