Help lawmakers connect the dots between the policies they write and the work you’re doing in your community by meeting with them face to face when they return to your district. These meetings can take place at your clinic or practice, the lawmaker’s office, or a health fair—all are great spots for advocacy.
Below are five main areas of focus to help maximize your meeting time and make your voice heard.
2. Prepare in advance.
Knowledge is power, especially when meeting with lawmakers. Take the time to do basic background research on the lawmaker’s website before your meeting to ensure that you stand out. Before your meeting, take some time to consider these things:
Your lawmaker’s legislative history
Have they supported or opposed anything in your talking points in the past? What legislative committees do they sit on? Are there important aspects of their biography or personal stories that might make them more receptive to your message? These are all basic but critical pieces of information to know to have an effective meeting and will allow you to focus your discussion on details that may help to earn their support.
The issues your lawmaker is particularly active on
Look into their committee memberships and the bills they sponsor or cosponsor. In many cases, your meeting is your chance to educate your lawmaker with a perspective you’re uniquely able to provide.
Your lawmaker’s political party
Party affiliation gives you a general sense of how to approach a conversation. If done right, you can build support for an issue by communicating in ways that resonate with various political and personal philosophies.
4. Keep the conversation focused.
Be clear and direct with your asks.
Are you asking them to introduce or cosponsor a bill? Increase funding for an existing program? You should make sure the request is clear and then provide necessary background and details.
Bring the point home.
The No. 1 thing lawmakers and their staff want to know is how a policy is affecting or will affect their constituents. You are a trusted member of your community who can provide helpful background as they try to assess how a proposal will affect their home communities.
Use medical jargon sparingly.
You are there to provide your expertise on how health care policies will affect your community. However, be mindful to use medical terms that are easily grasped by the public.
Know that you won't have an answer to every question.
You are there to bring your on-the-ground perspective to your lawmakers. You can refer them to AAFP staff or tell them you will follow up with them with a detailed answer.
Agree to disagree.
Don’t waste time arguing if a lawmaker disagrees with you on an issue or has taken an opposing position. You’re there to tell them about how things are affecting your practice and the community, which helps inform their next actions.