Easy Ways to be an Advocate for Your Patients and Your Profession
Advocacy often feels intimidating to those who haven’t experienced it directly, but MDAFP and our lobbying team at Schwartz, Metz, Wise, and Kauffman are here to help you navigate this landscape. We understand that the political advertisements you just encountered during this federal election can be excessive even to those who see themselves as seasoned politicos. As proven by the financial investment in ads, for example, your vote makes a difference in the outcome of any election!
Now that the election season is over and we’re gearing up for the 2025 Maryland legislative session, we want to provide you with additional action items that can help you be a stronger advocate for your patients and your profession in addition to voting.
- Get to know your legislators. Now is a great time to meet with your legislators in their district and your community. Ask them to grab a cup of coffee with you or ask when they’re having a local event you can attend. Your conversation should focus on relationship building by introducing yourself as a medical expert, clearly explain how legislation and regulation impacts patient care, use patient stories to emphasize your points, and provide data-driven evidence to support your stance while prioritizing your patient's perspective.
- Reserve February 6, 2025, to attend MDAFP’s Family Medicine Advocacy Day. We know you plan your schedule in advance, so now is the time to block off the annual Thursday 1/2-day event. You will be trained and briefed on the issues that matter most before heading off to meet with legislators and their aides.
- Join MDAFP’s Governmental Advocacy Committee
(GAC). This committee meets once per month, October – May, via Zoom and advises the board on legislative and regulatory matters as well as recommends an annual legislative agenda to the board for approval. In addition, GAC reviews and recommends policy on all state and local legislation affecting the practice of medicine, scope of practice, access, public health and medical liability. This group also addresses needed position statements in governmental advocacy areas where MDAFP does not have an existing policy.
If you’d like to speak with someone about any of these items, want to join GAC, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your MDAFP staff contact, Madeline or call 888—894-2606.
Kind regards,
Becky Wimmer
Your Executive Director
