Advocacy 101 Becoming a long-term physical therapy advocate

Transcription

1 Advocacy 101 Becoming a long-term physical therapy advocate Monica Herr Senior Congressional Specialist American Physical Therapy Association Kathleen K. Mairella, PT, DPT, MA APTA Structure A Day in the Life of an APTA Lobbyist Congressional Hearings Meetings with Legislative Staff Fundraisers Constant Strategy Meetings Coalition Meetings Writing Support Letters or Comments Creating APTA Resources on Legislation Looking for Parking on Capitol Hill Waiting in Security Lines Dodging Tourists Who We Are and What We Do Government State Congressional Political and Grassroots Public Policy, Practice and Professional Health Quality and Financing Regulatory Quality Initiatives Research and Clinical Practice Clinical Practice and Standards Research Payment and Practice Mgt. Payment Practice Mgt. Why Should You Advocate? Educate legislators on physical therapy Influence policy that directly effects how physical therapists practice in every setting Build relationships with legislators for short and long term APTA initiatives Advance the physical therapy profession YOU are an important part of APTA s advocacy structure because You re a constituent You re the expert! 1

2 You re the expert! There are countless issues Congress handles Healthcare is just one area; with huge variations and stakeholders Legislators and staff have varying levels of knowledge on physical therapy and APTA policy priorities 2010 and 2012 elections have brought many new faces to Congress Opportunity to educate and form new allies We ll teach you the issues- you discuss with them what you know! Explain how policies affect the way you practice and the care your patients receive I m so Excited, what can I do right now? Get informed Get Connected Facebook, Twitter Download the Grassroots App Now! Make plans Student Advocacy Challenge at your school Meet with your legislators Attend a State/Federal Lobby Day Participate in APTA Grassroots Campaigns Legislators Come from All Walks of Life Attorney University President Journalists Teachers Ranchers Farmers Football Players NHL Official Scientist Automobile Dealers Carpenter Orchard Owner/Worker Youth Camp Director Military Auctioneer Radio Talk Show Host Military Veterinarian Physicians Ordained Minister Saturday Night Live Performer Reality TV Show Personality November 4 Therapy Cap Thunderclap Thunderclap is the first crowd-speaking platform that helps people be heard by saying something together Thunderclap will blast out a timed Facebook Post or Tweet from all your supporters, creating a wave of attention. Therapy Cap Coalition-wide Sign up NOW! What is Advocacy Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an asset of interest. AKA Representing your voice in policymaking 2

3 Long Term Advocacy Relationship Building Familiar Face Building Credibility Become a Source of Information Easy Access That Science, Space, & Technology Committee Member could be a Leader someday! APTA Advocacy Roles Move the profession forward Know your issue You are selling your issue, so be sure to know: History What is the situation in other states? Why should anyone care? Why should the legislator s constituents care? Who are the players? Who is opposed and why? How does it effect practitioners? Patients? Other groups? Try to keep it local! Know your legislator DO S AND DONT S OF ADVOCACY Political Democrat? Republican? Conservative? Tea Party? Liberal? Maverick? Swing district? Popular? Committees, Leadership Professional Business background, clubs/organizations, Personal Family, religion, education Do Know Your Issue Know Your Legislator Be Patient Be realistic with your expectations Be consistent with APTA Check in with APTA first Be Realistic With Your Expectations Lawmakers - Know little about you - Know little about physical therapy - Know little bit about opposition reasoning - Often put physicians/medical society on pedestals, - Have very limited time - Thousands of issues cross their desk 3

4 Bills By Final Status DON T Forget Your Ask The whole reason for the letter/meeting/tweet! Make sure you know the ask and that you say it Can change; stay informed Your legislator s job is to serve the interests of their constituencies Be Consistent Consistency is key to an effective advocacy campaign APTA members being consistent with APTA staff strategy Every message (and anything missing) is used for a reason Check with APTA staff first Can give you ideas, resources, and politics surrounding each issue Best advocacy practices We may know something you don t DON T Lie Legislators rely on you to tell educate and inform them on an issue They stake their reputation/career on this information Lawmakers will learn the truth eventually You lose credibility The PT Profession loses credibility Opposition gains strength It s okay to say I ll get back to you with that information Don t Forget your Ask Lie Underestimate Follow Up Be Rude or Angry DON T Underestimate Follow Up Be sure to: Send thank you note/letter Reiterate position and reasoning Provide any updates/additional information Inform of any future dates of importance Follow Up with APTA staff Part of Long Term Advocacy 4

5 NEVER EVER Be Rude Being Passionate is different than angry Be polite to everyone in the office You never know who helps to make decisions Can have a lasting impact on relationship building Contact Information Monica Herr Sr. Congressional Specialist American Physical Therapy Association monicaherr@apta.org 5