AMA to lay off 100 workers, 8 percent of staff

The American Medical Association is laying off about 100 members of its 1,200-member staff due to the economic downturn.

The Chicago-based national doctors organization announced Monday that it would make the lay offs, which amount to 8 percent of staff. The job cuts are effective May 4. Both open and existing positions will be trimmed.

AMA chief executive Dr. Michael Maves called the lay offs "a tremendously difficult decision." The group said it needs to "offset declining revenues amid the ongoing economic downturn."

About 250,000 physicians in the United States are AMA members.