GET INVOLVED
All politics are local. Lawmakers need
to build trust with their constituents in order to feel comfortable with the
decisions that they make. The fact of
the matter is that your legislators need to hear from you. Candidates for office need to look to you
as the health care experts as they build their platforms. Physicians must be involved if they want to
stay in the game. If every physician
in Tennessee spent just one day a year or a few minutes each month fighting
for their profession, organized medicine would be the premier health care
lobby in Nashville. Below are just a
few things you can do that will truly make a difference.
Be an Advocate for Organized Medicine.
The TMA encourages grassroots participation in the political
process. Grassroots advocacy enables
legislators to hear from doctors on issues before it is voted on in committee
or on the floor. It also reminds them
that their constituents are watching the decisions that they make. Becoming involved is as simple as reading
the weekly Legistat disseminated during the legislative session and
heeding the alerts from staff that it is important to communicate with key
legislators by using our electronic call-to-action program or picking up the
phone and calling your legislator.
Don’t forget when it comes to health care, YOU are the expert
and lawmakers want and need to hear your opinion.
Host a campaign fundraiser or just make a donation yourself.
Legislators must raise more money than ever to win a House or Senate seat and
they are very grateful to constituents who help them in their bid.
Volunteer at a campaign office, put a sign up in your yard and ask others
to do the same, campaign door-to-door, send letters to your physician
colleagues and/or patients in support of candidates or host a neighborhood
meet-and-greet.
All of these things are simple and cost very little, yet they
make a huge and lasting impact on candidates. These small things may help
open the door to your legislator when an important issue arises on the Hill.
Attend PITCH or serve as Doctor
of the Day.
Both of these events are high-profile and provide a great way
for you to get to know your senator or representative.
