Meeting with congressional representatives can be a game-changer for physicians, especially in the current political climate, and made urgent by the upcoming Senate confirmation hearings. The hearings for the Director of Health and Human Services are now set for the week of January 27. Advocacy is crucial to keep attention on evidence-based healthcare policies, reimbursement rates, and regulations to ensure a healthy population.
To facilitate connections with your Senators and Representatives, AMWA is scheduling meetings with congressional legislative aides focused on healthcare. We invite members to join any of the meetings to share your perspectives on medical policies and educate healthcare policy directors about the needs of practitioners and the impact their funding decisions may have on patients. Your insights can drive meaningful change.
Source: Priscilla Du Preez (Unsplash)
When meeting with healthcare representatives, AMWA members have a direct opportunity to:
- Influence Policy: Physicians can provide first-hand insights about proposed policies or changes that affect patient care, the medical workforce, and overall healthcare quality. Personal stories from the frontlines have the most impact and will be remembered, repeated, and shared.
- Advocate for Reimbursement and Regulations: Many issues physicians face today—like reimbursement rates from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers—are directly tied to legislation. Being involved in these conversations allows physicians to help shape fundingthat improve their practice and patient care.
- Shape the Future of Healthcare: Whether it’s issues like telemedicine, women’s health, mental health, gun violence, or other pressing public health issues, your voice matters.
- Build Relationships: Direct meetings with representatives help establish ongoing relationships. This makes it easier to address issues in the future, as lawmakers will have a physician’s perspective in mind when crafting or voting on legislation.
Is there a specific issue on your mind, or do you just have concerns about the broader landscape in DC? You are welcome to join us in championing AMWA’s health priorities and to express your own professional concerns as a woman physician.