March 2002 • Volume 8 • Number 3 |
•Chapters lobby for change•
 |
Sometimes a few well-placed jabs wield a lot of clout. Such was the case with New Jersey AFP member and self-proclaimed motorcycle jock Jeffrey Zlotnick, M.D., of Phillipsburg when he spoke out in December against a bill that would have repealed the state's motorcycle helmet law.
Zlotnick made his case as a physician and taxpayer when his quotes, written for an NJAFP press release, were picked up by two statewide daily newspapers just before the issue came up for a legislative vote. Zlotnick's comments also appeared in a letter that was delivered by fax, e-mail or in some cases by hand to every New Jersey legislator.
Zlotnick wrote, in part:
"As a physician, I understand the danger of riding without a helmet. I've seen serious injury and death result in bike accidents from what would be a routine fender-bender in a car. As a taxpayer, I am appalled that our lawmakers would repeal helmet laws and cause us to pick up the tab for the 'consenting adult' who chooses to ride without a helmet and ends up with a massive head trauma."
NJAFP Executive Vice President Ray Saputelli said that the bill, which initially hinged on two or three votes either way, was defeated by a vote of 60 14. "It wasn't even close when we were done," he said. "We mobilized and got this done in two days ... sometimes you just need to stop the madness, and I think that's what Jeff's quotes did."
NJAFP's political clout started at a slow simmer about a decade ago when the chapter organized a government affairs committee. Its potential to effect change mushroomed after members voted to raise their own dues to hire a part-time lobbyist to enable the chapter to get more involved in governmental affairs, said Saputelli. Since then, "we've certainly grown in name recognition. We're being invited to the table a lot more than we used to be," said Saputelli.
The chapter's Web site at http://www.njafp.org lists dozens of health-related bills pending in the state legislature. But Saputelli said there is the danger of overload. "Family physicians are generalists by nature and want to be involved in a lot of things that go through the legislature." He said it makes sense to focus limited chapter resources on key issues that can really make a difference.
"There are times when it's OK to let someone else fight the battle and we say 'us too, we agree.' And there are times we should lead the charge," he said.
As for Zlotnick, he spends up to three hours a week gathering information about those key issues because what happens in his state legislature affects him personally. "This is my future, this is my career. Proposals will come up that, unchecked, will negatively impact my ability to practice and take care of my patients," he said. "It's my job to say, 'If you pass this law, this will be the result.'"
FP Report is published by the
AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2002 by
American Academy of Family Physicians.