Advocacy in Action on Capitol Hill

"I assume you are here to discuss chiropractic issues." I replied: "No, I am here to discuss patient issues." I was meeting with the legislative director of my congressman during a recent trip to Washington, D.C. I was there primarily in my role as chair of the Chiropractic Health Care (CHC) section of the American Public Health Association, and my first venture at advocacy on Capitol Hill resulted in a very enjoyable and interesting discussion.

I did not walk into that office cold. I was prepared because I know preparation shows and because the APHA had provided me with a packet of information to use at my meeting and preparation materials so I could go to my first "Hill" visit feeling confident. The association has decades of experience in the political process and considerable clout on Capitol Hill. I also had reviewed the congressman's legislative record and his stated priorities. I knew what legislation was currently on the docket and the things he was likely to be working on. I had paid attention to his schedule and knew where he had been and where he was going.

There are many in this country who are in need. They do not have adequate access to health care. They don't have adequate information to make good decisions for themselves. They do not have a voice in government. They need someone to advocate for them. It can certainly be their doctor of chiropractic!

No special abilities are needed to be an advocate. But as with any endeavor, there are skills and approaches to be learned and developed. The APHA proved to be a great resource. I spent some time reviewing the materials supplied by the APHA to make sure my statements remained consistent with association statements. I did emphasize those priorities that were of special interest to the CHC section, including access to care, prevention and wellness. I talked about musculoskeletal problems as an under-recognized public health issue and provided data from the Bone and Joint Decade. I made sure all my comments were consistent with statements put out by our national chiropractic organizations.

It is also important to have a strategy. My congressman was already in my court and had demonstrated such by his record, so my visit was not an attempt to sway the office to another way of thinking, but rather to lend support to current initiatives. To do this, I first offered my thanks for the work already done and for his stated support. I then reiterated, using brief, succinct statements, the legislative priorities I wished to emphasize, and finally provided written support and data that the congressman could use in arguing the points in session. At the end of the meeting I expressed my willingness to personally work to help with the effort.

All in all, it was not that difficult. As a member of the APHA, I had access to nearly everything I needed. The APHA provided information on process, gave me outlines on what to expect, advised me on approaches, gave me addresses and relevant phone numbers, and even advised me on the best metro stop. In fact, the APHA would have made my appointment for me if I'd wished.

Members of Congress and their staffs are very willing to meet, and for a variety of reasons. They want to keep their constituents happy. They are concerned about re-election. But most importantly, they want to do some good while serving. It is also important to be aware that meeting with a congressional staffer has the same potential value as meeting with an elected official.

There are a number of things to consider for any Hill visit. Here are a few tips you may find worthwhile:

• Have a clear picture of the legislator's priorities. Voting records can be accessed by going to http://thomas.loc.gov or by visiting the legislator's official Web site.
• Any message conveyed should be consistent with the legislative initiatives of our national organizations.
• Even if you don't agree 100 percent with others in the profession, find what you have in common and emphasize that commonality. It's best if a consistent message comes from many different constituents.
• Provide well-written and well-supported materials that are concise and clear.
• In meetings, always be polite, and be respectful of conflicting opinions.

Of course, if a trip to D.C. is not on your schedule, you can still be active by signing up on www.chirovoice.org [or www.adjustthevote.org (the legislative advocacy sites of the ACA and ICA, respectively)] and/or by joining the APHA, the oldest, largest, most diverse, and most influential public health association in the United States and in the world. The APHA is a multidisciplinary organization that emphasizes political activism and advocates for patients and for providers.  The letters "APHA" also stand for "Advocate for a Public Health Agenda." Every chiropractor in America should be a member and advocate for our profession and for all patients. You can join the APHA by contacting Jonathon Egan, DC, MPH, membership chair of the Chiropractic Health Care section of APHA, at j.t.egan@gmail.com . You can also apply for membership or renew your existing membership online at www.apha.org/about/membership.