Meeting With Your Congressional Representatives To Advocate For The Profession

The August congressional recess is approaching and is an opportune time to meet face-to-face with your United States representatives and senators in their home districts. Check their websites to view their schedules. Attending an event in your area provides an excellent opportunity to speak with members of Congress about the two podiatry-specific bills moving through Congress: the VA Provider Equity Act (HR 1058) and the HELLPP Act (HR 1542). You should specifically ask about co-sponsorship of both bills. 

To demonstrate how effective this approach can be, I would like to share an example. My wife and I attended a gun violence prevention event in Indianapolis in June (Congress was in recess at this time). We live in the 5th congressional district in Indiana. Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN-7) attended the event as well. I was able to discuss both bills with the congressman and left my contact information with his legislative aide. Two days later, the congressman’s deputy chief of staff emailed me for more details. After providing the requested information, I received an email three days later confirming that Congressman Carson would be co-sponsoring both bills. 

These smaller and more intimate events provide unique occasions to develop a relationship with a member of Congress. I do not live in Rep. Carson’s district but I seized the moment to engage in grassroots activism. I am asking each American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) member to attend one event with a member of Congress this August. Then follow up with a call and email. You will have done a tremendous service to your profession by advocating on behalf of your career. Attending a fundraiser can also be an excellent method of developing an even deeper relationship with members of Congress. 

It is a critical time for HR 1058 and HR 1542, and the time to act is now. Both of these bills have a chance to pass in the 115th Congress but an engaged membership participating in grassroots activism is vital. It is important not to allow personal political ideology to prevent you from meeting with a member of Congress. For the future of podiatry, put the profession first. 

Once you have identified the event you are going to attend, preparation is essential. You can find the necessary resources at APMA’s website (https://www.apma.org/PMResources/Brief.cfm?ItemNumber=16225) to provide you the talking points. You more than likely will have only two to three minutes with the member of Congress so rehearsing an “elevator pitch” about both bills ahead of time will be imperative. Follow-up is critical so be sure to get business cards and contact information for staff in the congressional representative’s office. One or two days after the meeting, send an email to a staff member thanking the congressperson for his or her time, and reiterating your conversation and your “ask.” Phone calls are the best method to stay in touch with a staff member to keep the discussion going. Continue to ask for co-sponsorship. 

I have been on Capitol Hill numerous times over many years for congressional lobbying visits for APMA. In all that time, I have been unable to get a meeting with Congressman Carson in his office. At this local event, I was able to speak with him alone for a few, meaningful minutes. He was attentive and engaged. I was conscious of his time and respectful in my conversation. My total time investment for this encounter, including follow-up, was approximately two hours. Can you give your profession a couple of hours? Can you give your career a couple of hours? 

August is approaching quickly. Take advantage of an opportunity to give back to your profession. I often say, “with membership comes responsibility.” In talking about membership, I am not just talking about membership in the APMA, I am talking about membership in the podiatric profession. Do your part and step up to the plate. 

Editor’s note: This DPM Blog was originally published in the July/August 2017 edition of APMA News and has been adapted with permission from the APMA.