Update on AMWA Position Statement Regarding Legislation Negatively Affecting Freelancers

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) supports the right of self-employed medical communicators to practice as independent contractors. AMWA strongly disagrees with legislation that would either discourage companies from hiring freelance medical communicators or force independent contractors to become employees, which will diminish their autonomy and may cause harm to their business model and relationships.

The AMWA Position Statement on Legislation That Negatively Affects the Livelihood of Freelance Medical Communicators was first issued in early 2020 in response to California's poorly written 2019 state bill, AB5, and other laws that were working their way through state legislative bodies, that failed to protect its intended targets and rather harmed contract workers who choose to work on a freelance basis. 

On March 9, 2021, the US House of Representatives voted to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, and it is now headed to the US Senate. To communicate AMWA's position on this legislation, AMWA released a press release and background information document reiterating the position statement. We encourage members who are concerned about this legislation to contact their US Senators.