MEETING YOUR LEGISLATOR

Advocacy Newsletter, AZ chapter American College of Surgeons, May 2025             

By Sarah Lee-Davisson, MD, Advocacy Chair

Get Started Right Away

Is there anything that you care deeply about as it relates to medicine?  I would be shocked if anyone answered ‘no’ to that.  Our day-to-day life as doctors is filled with moments of frustration for ourselves and our patients.  Those are the exact issues that our legislators need to hear about. 

First Question:  How do I know who my legislators are?

At the Federal Level, we have Two Senators.  Senator Mark Kelly and Senator Ruben Gallego.   We also have a Federal Representative, depending on our District.  You can find your Congress person at www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

At the State Level, your State Senator and Representatives are dependent on your legislative district.  You can find yours at www.azleg.gov/findmylegislator/  

Q: Where can I meet with a legislator?

A:  For our federal legislators, you can meet in DC which is a great trip, but they are generally busier and shorter meetings; or you can meet in district at one of their local offices which are usually less busy and easier to access.  You can arrange to meet virtually or in person.  Use their website to start.  Usually they have something right on their website with instructions to request a meeting, and even a calendar of where they are.  When requesting a meeting, clearly and concisely state what you are for their constituency, and what you would like to meet about.

For state legislators, request via phone or website and these meetings are usually at the State Capitol in Phoenix.  Once you have a relationship with these legislators, there may be even more options available for meetings in your district or at your facility as they are by nature more local.  

Q: What are the basic tips for an effective meeting?

A:  Do your research.  What is your issue?  And what is the legislator’s background on this or similar issues?  Are there any active bills right now that apply to this issue?  What other supporters are there for this issue? What competing interests to the issue are there?   What committee is your legislator on that might have some power to move on this issue? 

Ways to find this information out:  Friend or follow them on social media.  Sign up via their websites for newsletters.  Follow organization’s newsletters about advocacy to know what key healthcare bills are top of mind (ACS Brief, ACS Advocacy Brief, SurgeonsVoice, ArMA advocacy and legislative updates azmed.org, Vot-er.org, 5calls.org)

A great format for a meeting is to let them know what you do for their constituents/where you serve.  Then convey your personal story.  Include some data (brief, they likely have most of this information already, but you can leave handouts).  Make sure you are clear on what you see as the problem and what needs to change.  Your personal story and those of your patients is what will stick in their mind, and what they quite frankly need the most.  Offer to help in anyway you can and to be a resource for them going forward, invite them to tour your clinic or hospital, and any other specific asks that you have.

Here are some more important points for these meetings:

• Do not make it a political party issue.  Find common ground and unifying principles even if ideology is not fully aligned. 

• Build a relationship.  Make it so that they can contact you and you will give your expertise or find someone who can help them to better understand future issues as well.  If you say you will follow up on something to get them more information, do so.

• Never discuss campaign contribution or your vote for or against them. 

• Don’t be late or no-show for a meeting. 

• Do not be offended if you meet in a hallway or somewhere less than a sit down office.  This is normal.

• Do treat the staff members with respect and be just as happy to meet them as the Legislator themselves.  They have the ear of the legislator and actually know more than the issues in most cases.

• Ask to take a picture if you would like, but do not record your meetings.

  
  

In our next newsletter, I will discuss follow up on a meeting and tips to cement that relationship long-term.

Q: Any ways to make my impact stronger?

A:  If you can find or know of some other key stakeholders who share your concern, get them involved with at least their opinion to share, or have them come along.  When the issue affects more than one stakeholder, it is a stronger message.  For instance, hospitals and doctors share concerns about insurance prior-authorizations.  Another example is that Patients and doctors are all adversely affected by sudden formulary and medication changes.  So get your local hospitals or patient advocacy groups involved in speaking with them about these issues or sharing their perspectives.  Consider getting to know people in the sectors of insurers, government agencies, advocacy groups, other providers/organized medicine groups, pharma, hospitals—all of these are key stakeholders in healthcare, and where we can overlap our interests certainly increases the impact of what we need or want. 

Q: Even if they are moved by my story, what can a legislator even do with that information?

A:  Common ways that legislators can make moves on issues is to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation, write a “dear colleagues” letter, mail agencies to request help, make a speech on the floor, vote in line with our agenda on active bills, take a stance publicly,  visit your local town halls or your facility to see first-hand how this issue is affecting their constituents (and the media will follow them there), etc. 

Please Reach out with any questions or ideas for advocacy!  sarahjleemd@gmail.com

(520) 237-4712.

And be sure to join AzACS  azacs.org