Print Step-by-Step Guide (PDF)
If we don’t educate our elected officials about pulmonary hypertension, who will? Now is the time to connect face-to-face with your Members of Congress.
In August, Congress is in recess (on break) and therefore available for meetings at their local district offices in their home states. This makes it a perfect time to meet with your Representative and Senators. 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.
The PH Research and Education Act has been introduced in the House of Representatives as H.R. 3368. When you meet with your Representative about the PH Research Act, please refer to the new bill number. When you meet with your Senators, let them know that the House bill has been introduced, and that a Senate version will be introduced this fall. Later, you should follow up with your Senators to provide them with the number and reiterate your request that they co-sponsor the bill. A fact sheet (PDF) that explains the key points of the bill is available.
Connect with your Support Group and others in your area to make an even larger impact. Organize your visit today!
Steps:
- 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 Katie, PHA’s Advocacy and Awareness Associate at 301-565-3004 X109 and she can tell you the addresses.
To find the district office addresses of your Senators and Representative online:
- Visit the “find your elected officials tool” and type in your zip code.
- 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.
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Meet with each Member of Congress.
Tell your Senators and/or Representative about PH and your story with the illness. Ask him/her to sponsor the new PH legislation in Congress. 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 your 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 group — send your note within two days of your meeting. (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 Curent Issues to get updated information, or contact Katie Kroner about having your group join the 435 Campaign. Call Katie at 301-565-3004 x109 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. Fill out the evaluation form
