If we don’t educate our elected officials about pulmonary hypertension, who will? A meeting is the most effective way to get your Members of Congress to support PH legislation because it puts a face and personal story to the illness.
In August, Congress is in recess (on break) and therefore available for meetings at their local district offices in their home states. In addition, Representatives and Senators often work from their district offices on Fridays and Mondays throughout the year.
Find the local offices of your Senators and Representative.
Your Senators and Representative may list their district office
addresses in the phonebook. You can also call Kiersten, PHA’s Advocacy
and Awareness intern at 301-565-3004 X774 and she can tell you the
addresses.
To find the district office addresses of your Senators and
Representative online:
Under the name of each Senator and Representative, click on “info”.
In the contact information section, look for the main district office and click on “more district offices”.
Schedule your meetings.
Introduce yourself as a member of the PH community. Tell the receptionist that you want to schedule a meeting to speak with the Senator or health legislative assistant about PH legislation. (See sample script)
Order PHA briefing materials.
Order two briefing packets from PHA for each visit you schedule. Briefing packets are materials you can share with your Members of Congress to help them understand pulmonary hypertension.
Invite your support group.
If possible, schedule your district visits as a support group meeting so that the whole group can attend. If you’re short on time, e-mail or call your support group members and encourage them to join you. Try to bring at least 3-5 PH patients or caregivers with you to your meeting.
Meet with each Member of Congress.
Tell your Senators and/or Representative about PH and your story with the illness. Ask him/her to co-sponsor
the PH Research and Education Act or thank them for their co-sponsorship. Leave the briefing
packet behind.
Thank each Member of Congress.
Within two days of your meeting, write a thank you letter to each Member of Congress stressing the
need for his/her support of the PH community. If you support group meets during this time, get all of
your members to sign the card too (even if they
weren’t there). However, don’t wait on your
support group—send your note within two days of
your meeting. If your elected official is already a
co-sponsor send a note thanking him/her for
support. (See sample script)
Place a follow-up phone call to each Member of Congress.
Within two weeks of your meeting, call each Member’s office and offer your continuing interest in his/her help. (See sample script)
Maintain your relationship with each Member of Congress.
Periodically, use a few minutes in a support group meeting to write each of your Members of Congress regarding new developments with PH. Visit Current Issues to get updated information, or contact Katie Kroner about having your group join the 435 Campaign. Call Katie at 301-565-3004 x749 or e-mail her at advocacy@PHAssociation.org.
Tell PHA!
Please keep PHA up-to-date on your interactions with Members of Congress so that we know where
they stand on the issues that matter to the PH community. Contact Katie at
Katherine@PHAssociation.org.
The
information provided on the PHA website is provided for general information
only. It is not intended as legal, medical or other professional
advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations
with qualified professionals who are familiar with your individual
needs.
