Chapters declare victory with legislative efforts
The Academy's constituent chapters play a key role in state legislative activities. Here are some "success stories" from across the country.
Georgia -- Rather than trying to reach all state legislators, the Georgia AFP targeted a group that already shares some common ground -- the Georgia Women Legislators' Caucus. The chapter formed an alliance with the caucus and holds annual meetings for caucus members and female FPs to discuss health issues, said Tanya Jones, M.D., of Atlanta, the chapter's board chair.
The meetings have led legislators to call on the chapter for guidance on health care concerns. For example, "We got called in when they were trying to make decisions about pharmaceutical formularies for Medicaid," Jones said. "There was an effort to push through some bad choices, but we were able to quash it because we had relationships with some of the legislators."
Oklahoma -- When a patient confidentiality bill at the statehouse threatened to jeopardize medical research, the Oklahoma AFP took action. At first, the bill looked innocuous, but upon further inspection, the chapter realized the bill would significantly restrict research by preventing access to patient records, said OAFP Executive Director Sam Blackstock. The chapter convinced the authors to remove the language of concern and proceed slowly with any bill that could curb research efforts.
"Once the bill's authors talked with a few of our members, they were able to understand the issue," Blackstock said.
Illinois -- Without a political action committee, the Illinois chapter didn't have the funds or the clout to get involved in the governor's race last fall, said Gordana Krkic, the chapter's vice president for government relations. But the chapter was able to be a player in the lieutenant governor's race.
The candidate, Corinne Wood, a former state legislator, had been receptive to the chapter's input on the definition of primary care and the impact of managed care reform on rural health. Her successful run for the lieutenant governorship was the first statewide race supported by the Illinois AFP.
The chapter held a small reception/fund-raiser, and 16 FPs attended. "She was very impressed and appreciative that so many physicians showed up," Krkic said. "What family physicians say to a legislator speaks volumes more than I or another lobbyist could ever say."
Maryland -- Realizing that family practice was getting little respect from the state medical society and lawmakers, the Maryland AFP joined forces with internists and pediatricians to form the Maryland Primary Care Coalition. "We may come down on opposite sides of some issues, so on those, we go out on our own," explained William Jones, M.D., of Davidsonville, the chapter's board secretary. "But when we agree on an issue, we now have 5,000 doctors behind us."
The coalition helped defeat a direct access bill last year.
"Now the state medical society calls us whenever there's a primary care issue," said Jones.
New York -- Family physicians in New York were good at articulating issues, but didn't always have a good grasp on the political process. So the New York State AFP launched the Health Policy Conference, held in conjunction with its fall cluster meeting, said Vito Grasso, executive director. The conference -- which attracted 75 physicians last year -- educates current and emerging FP leaders on politics and lobbying.
"In order to entice people to participate in legislative activities and lobbying, you have to create a friendly environment for them," said Grasso.The conference uses family physician moderators to elevate members' comfort level.
Michigan -- Over the last three years, the Michigan AFP has made a concerted effort to increase its visibility with state lawmakers. The payoff so far includes passage of an aggressive patient rights act, advancement of an acceptable nurse practice act and a $40,000 grant to work with other agencies on a statewide tobacco control plan.
Getting physicians to testify at the statehouse, meet with newspaper editors and participate in other legislative activities is a surefire strategy for getting noticed, said Mary Elizabeth Roth, M.D., of Southfield, the chapter's immediate past president. "If we want to be heard as family physicians, we have to do the legwork, the paperwork, writing the testimony."
By Sharon Dickinson Dent,
Associate Editor
"We should do the work
ourselves. We can't depend
on others to do it for us."-- Mary Elizabeth Roth, M.D.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department. Copyright © 1999 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
FP Report | Headlines |AAFP Home | Search