Legislative Advocacy: You Can Be a Life Saver Too

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Legislative AdvocacyYou Can Be a Life Saver Too
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Children Need A Voice

• Nine million are uninsured
• 40 are at or below 200 federal poverty level,
  which is higher than the adult poverty rate

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Pediatricians are Natural Advocates for their
Patients
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• It makes a difference

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Successful Pediatric Advocacy

• State Childrens Health Insurance Program, 1997
• Pediatric Rule, 1998
• Over the Counter Plan B, 2006

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US Federal Government
EXECUTIVE
JUDICIAL
LEGISLATIVE
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FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

• House of Representatives
• 435 members
• based on population
• 2 yr terms

• Senate
• 100 members
• 2 from each state
• 6 yr terms
• 1/3 elected every 2 yrs

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Legislation Introduction

• Proposed by anyone
• Any citizen of the US
• Introduced by members
• Congress or delegates of each state
• Submitting member is the sponsor
• Legislation
• Bill
• Joint resolutions
• Concurrent resolutions
• Simple resolutions
• Legislative process
• Bill or resolution is numbered
• H.R. House bill
• S. Senate bill

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Simple View of Congress
Bill Introduction in the Senate
Bill introduction in the House
Referral to Committee
Referral to Committee
Committee mark-up
Committee mark-up
Floor Consideration
Floor Consideration
Conference Committee
Final Vote in Both Houses
Presidential Action
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Take Five Minutes for Advocacy
..

• Sign up for alerts
• Federal Advocacy Action Network (FAAN)
• www.aap.org/moc -gt Federal Affairs -gt Join FAAN
• Call, fax, email, visit government officials
• Vote and encourage others to register
• Advertise issue with a badge, button, or bag
• Talk to anyone who will listen

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Federal Government Resources

• AAP Department of Federal Affairs
• www.senate.gov and www.house.gov

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State Government

• Alabama HR Maine SEN Rhode Island SENHR
• Alabama SEN Maryland SEN HR South Carolina
  SENHR
• Alaska HR SEN Massachusetts SEN HR South
  Dakota SEN HR
• Arizona HR SEN Michigan HR Tennessee SEN HR
• Arkansas HR SEN Michigan SEN Texas SEN HR
• California Assembly Minnesota SEN HR Utah SEN
  HR
• California SEN Mississippi HR Vermont SEN HR
• Colorado HR Mississippi SEN Virginia SEN HOD
• Colorado SEN Missouri SEN Washington SEN HR
• Connecticut SEN HR Missouri HR West Virginia
  SEN
• Delaware SEN HR Montana SEN HR West Virginia
  HOD
• District of Columbia Council Nebraska SEN (no HR)
  WisconsinSENAssembly
• Florida SEN HR Nevada SEN Assembly Wyoming
  HR
• Georgia SEN HR New Hampshire SEN HR Wyoming
  SEN
• Hawaii SEN HR New Jersey SEN Assembly
• Idaho SEN HR New Mexico SEN HR
• Illinois SEN HR New York SEN
• Indiana SEN HR New York Assembly
• Iowa SEN HR North Carolina SEN HR

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Preparing to Visit Your Representative

• Call to make appointment
• Often with legislative aide
• 15 minutes
• Research topic
• Arrive on time, neatly dressed
• Bring business cards
• Bring fact sheet or leave-behind

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The Visit

• Be courteous
• Thank legislator for prior votes
• Concisely state your view of issue
• Offer anecdotes of patients
• Admit if you do not know the answer to a question
• Focus on building a relationship
• Remember, the legislator cares about your
  expertise and your vote!

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After the Visit

• Follow-up with an email
• Express appreciation for the time spent
  discussing your issue
• Monitor progress of your issue

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Other Conduits for Change?

• Media
• Write a letter to the editor
• Other organizations/coalitions
• Build networks, work within coalitions

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To Sum It Up

• We are the VOICE of our patients
• We can articulate their experiences
• We have the opportunity to guide legislation
• Be patient, solutions may take time
• Your determination can make a difference!