AAFP Launches 'Recess' Campaign for Title VII Support

President Bush and members of Congress have family physicians. Shouldn't the rest of America have them, too?

That's the gist of an opinion column that Academy members can make available to their local newspapers in August when U.S. lawmakers are home for their annual recess. The column is part of an AAFP and constituent chapter effort to educate members of Congress and the public about the need for continued federal support for Section 747 of Title VII of the Public Health Service Act, which supports family medicine training.

In addition, AAFP has launched a Speak Out action alert on the issue and a key contacts campaign. Both ask Academy members to contact their senators and representatives and urge support for Title VII if the Senate bill goes to the floor -- probably in September -- and, afterwards, if it moves to a House-Senate conference committee.

Section 747 provides federal support to primary care medicine and general dentistry. President Bush zeroed it out in his fiscal year 2006 budget proposal, and the U.S. House followed suit by allocating zero funding for Section 747 in its appropriations package. The Senate Appropriations Committee, however, provided $90 million for Section 747 in its Labor/Health and Human Services spending bill.

AAFP has asked constituent chapters to submit the model opinion column to newspapers throughout their states or territories.

"We're asking members to submit an op-ed article to the local newspaper and to tell their chapters," said Diana Ewert, AAFP senior manager for state government relations. “If more than one member within a community has offered to send the column to the local publication, others can add their names to that submission.”

Members who visit Speak Out, the Academy's Legislative Action Center, can read more details about Title VII funding, including state-specific information. The site also offers instructions for contacting federal lawmakers and has a link to model letters that can be faxed or sent via e-mail.

"When members type in their zip codes, they will get letters tailored to their lawmakers," said Susan Hildebrandt, assistant director of government relations. "The key contacts' letter is tailored to members whose senator or representative serves on the subcommittees that work on the Title VII issue."