The most powerful lobbying group for America’s doctors has a big decision to make: Go to war with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or try to work with him.

For many members of the American Medical Association, publicly opposing Kennedy feels right. It means defending public health against policies — from changes to vaccine guidance to cuts to Medicaid — they see as dire threats. But it could come at a big cost if Republicans decide to overhaul how doctors are paid, as Kennedy has said he wants to do.

It’s up to AMA leaders, like its new president, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, to strike the balance between rebuffing the administration and building relationships within it.

“On Monday, we might have something to say, ‘We disagree. They shouldn’t be doing this,’ and on Tuesday, ‘We love this and congratulations,’” Mukkamala said in an interview with POLITICO. “That’s what I think the year is going to be like.”

After member doctors gave AMA staff a tongue-lashing for inaction at a June summit, the group has criticized Kennedy and President Donald Trump more vocally. But that could imperil the AMA’s longstanding relationships on Capitol Hill with GOP lawmakers and stall efforts to net policy wins. At stake: billions in Medicare reimbursements, the doc vote in the midterms and physicians’ clout in Washington. ...