Legislative News

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Talking to your Legislators

Legislative visits, where constituents have the opportunity to talk with the elected U.S. senators and representatives one on one, are the bedrock of most national advocacy campaigns, but it can be intimidating to tackle the personal approach. Here's some advice:

• The time is here when we can't deny the need to communicate successfully with our legislators at the local, state and national levels. In the past we have let our medical societies, medical associations, lobby staff, physicians and Alliance members in leadership roles do our lobbying for us. However, that is no longer enough! We need all of our voices to be heard; we need your voice.
• It is easy to communicate with your legislator when you have an established relationship back home. How to do that? Work in his/her campaign, go to a fundraiser, make a visit to the district office. No time? Go vote. You are a constituent no matter where you live. You have elected representatives in legislative offices working for you.
• Communication is easy. Tell a story about how an issue affects your quality of life, or your spouse's way of practicing quality medicine. Our issues always relate back to our own families health care, the senior citizens or children in your family. We don't squawk about the little stuff, we roar about the big stuff--access to care for our seniors, our children and ourselves. We care about having enough educated physicians to take care of our families.
• These are not inconsequential issues. These are important issues. We can make a difference in every state in this country. So please, get involved. If you have limited time, the least amount of participation is to go vote. Try to stay educated through your county medical Alliance, state medical alliance or through the national Alliance.

Pat Hyer, Chair of the Alliance's Legislation Committee, was a contributor to this page.

Want to learn more about talking to your legislator?

Check out AMA's A Guide to Communicating with Members of Congress HERE.

Legislative News:

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Legislative News by Alliance Alert