Lobby Day
PH Resource Network Raises Awareness in Congress about PH
Lobby Day is “an opportunity to
express support for all of the
patients and caregivers who
struggle to have a normal life
with PH.”
Sheryl Williams above left with Mike
Anaway,
Ken Wiggins, Susan Kraft,
Barbara Williams
View Lobby Day Photo Album |
On October 11, sixty members of the PH Resource Network visited fifty-three Congressional offices to urge co-sponsorship of H.R. 3368, the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act of 2007. Health professionals from around the country participated in a brief lobbying training and then traveled to Capitol Hill where they were addressed by PH champions Rep. Kevin Brady and Rep. Tom Lantos before breaking off into lobby groups to conduct their visits.
More than 75% of event participants were first-time lobbyists who, as one said, saw lobby day as “too important an opportunity to pass up.” R.N. Sheryl Williams was making her first visit to Capitol Hill because she felt that Lobby Day was “an opportunity to express support for all of the patients and caregivers who struggle to have a normal life with PH.”
When she first signed up, Sheryl was uncertain about the process of lobbying and doubtful that her opinion would matter, but, like other participants, she felt that showing up was the right thing to do. The event proved to be an extremely rewarding experience for Sheryl. She learned that while the legislative process is slow, “the passion from PH supporters is invaluable.” Sheryl says she definitely plans to attend the next PH Resource Network Lobby Day.
Whether they’d been to Capitol Hill before or not, Lobby Day participants were there to make a difference and their work is already paying off. On Monday, October 15, the PH Research and Education Act received three new co-sponsors! All three had received visits from PH Resource Network members the week before.
Lobby days are just one way to communicate with your members of Congress about PH legislation.
Learn more about how you can make a difference as a PH advocate
