Lobbying Tips

The involvement of medical students and physicians is vital to the success of the AMA's grassroots lobbying efforts. Even more than any professional lobbyist in Washington, only you can give your federal legislators the most accurate picture about how the issues really affect you and your daily life. Below are some tips for lobbying your congressman on the issues of importance to you. The AMA Grassroots Network web page contains additional information on finding the elected officials in your area, legislative alerts and updates, the AMA's stance on key bills in Congress, and more tips for communicating with your elected officials.

High-Yield Lobbying

1. Get to know your audience. Again, the internet will save you. Who is your elected representative (see the AMA website)? Is your representative a Republican or a Democrat? Liberal, Moderate or Conservative? Does he/she serve on a key committee? (www.house.gov or www.senate.gov)

2. One issue at a time. Every communication—telephone, written or personal visit—should stick to 1 issue. You should not present a laundry list of concerns…pick the most vital and explore it in depth. You can always call/write/visit again with another issue.

3. Start with a letter or a phone call. Build a relationship with your elected leader before making your actual visit. You can even organize a few of your friends to write or call on the same topic—a dozen or more letters on the same topic will get a representative’s attention. When you call, ask to speak with the ‘Health LA’ (Legislative Aide). Politely explain your concerns and ask for the representative’s specific position on the issue. For increased effectiveness, write an original letter (form letters and email don’t work as well) and make the letter should look professional (typed).

4. Know your issue and bring effective handouts. It is easy to do your homework on the internet. Present your opinion and back it up with facts—background information, including statistics and studies that support your point of view. If there’s a bill you’re interested in, include the bill number (i.e., HR. 2300, S. 234). Know the opposing arguments and ‘frequently asked questions’ and have answers ready to go. Make your representative’s job easier.

5. Use personal anecdotes. Nothing drives home the importance of an issue like a personal story. As students, we can offer credible anecdotes from our experiences in medical school. Tell your representatives how the issue affects your colleagues and patients (all politics is local!). This is the best way to persuade your representative that an abstract or arcane point affects his/her constituents deeply.

6. Offer solutions. Don’t just talk about how bad a problem is…tell your representative what you’d like to see done to fix it. In addition, let the representative know what he/she should do: make speeches, cosponsor legislation, write to the appropriate agency or vote for/against a bill, etc.

7. Build a relationship. Making contact repeatedly and being credible and reasonable every time will help build a relationship between you and your representative. The Health LA will know you by first name and your representative will try much harder to be present when you visit. You’ll quickly become part of your representative’s support system and he/she might even come to you for advice. Nothing is more valued than an informed, active, and friendly constituent!

8. Act locally. Every representative has a district office and most hold local meetings. Meeting with a local staff member is a great way to raise your concerns and is the next best thing to a Washington visit.

9. Timing. The most eloquent letter or call does no good if it comes after a vote. If a letter arrives too early, it is forgotten. Letters should generally arrive a few days before the vote, whether in committee or on the full chamber floor. However, don’t let waiting for the right time to come along keep you from writing. It is better to reach someone early in the debate then after they have made up their mind or not at all.

10. Follow-up. Be polite and persistent by following up with a thank-you letter. Representatives clearly remember the constituents that follow up. It reminds your representative of how passionate you are about the issue. Ask for an update on where the issue stands. Some issues take time and they’ll come up year after year…it’s the nature of public policy. Don’t be discouraged—the squeaky wheel will eventually get the grease!

High-Yield Personal Visits

The personal visit is the single most effective lobbying technique. Like medical staff, overworked LAs and representatives have ‘triage’ systems for handling constituents and issues. Emails and form letters get the least attention. Next are phone calls and individual/original letters. The personal visit rates highest priority and the issues brought up are attended to more quickly and seriously. Your representative will be impressed with the effort you’re putting forth and will usually make time to meet with you. A visit to Washington makes a powerful statement, and no politician wants to say ‘no’ to you in person!

Common Sense Rules—Courtesy and Respect

1. Be fair, realistic and reasonable.
2. Kill them with kindness…start with a compliment.
3. Introduce yourself.
4. Address your legislator as "Representative" or "Senator"
5. Make your appointment well in advance. Indicate the date you’ll visit and what you’d like to discuss.
6. Be honest. If you lose your credibility, you won’t get it back.
7. Be a good listener—don’t do all the talking; have a conversation.
8. Arrive on time.

Issues

1. One issue per meeting.
2. Be brief. Don’t let the representative or staffer side-track the meeting.
3. Be prepared when you arrive. Know what you are going to say.
4. Present your opinion, bolstered by facts, figures and a PERSONAL STORY.
5. Know and understand opposing arguments. Be prepared to discuss them.
6. Fifteen minutes (possibly 20) is a realistic expectation for your meeting. Do not be surprised if your meeting starts a bit late or is cut short or you are not able to speak directly to the Representative. Often, staff members meet with constituents—treat them in the same manner as you would the member.
7. Never lie, never guess. Just say "I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you"…and then get back to them!
8. Gently remind your representative that you’re a constituent and that you always vote. All politics is local.
9. Be passionate (not emotional), and never leave in anger.

Closing

1. Leave when your time is up.
2. Ask for a commitment from the member to support your position-but do not apply pressure or be threatening.
3. Have a short statement or fact sheet to leave behind. If its in writing, its has a better chance of being remembered.
4. Never end in harsh words or personal remarks. You will damage your credibility and hamper further communications.
5. Say "Thank you" and indicate you’re looking forward to following up on this issue.

Afterwards

1. Write a brief thank you note.
2. Indicate that you will be monitoring the issue closely.
3. Answer any questions you couldn’t answer in the meeting (see #15)
4. You may want to personally invite the member and his or her staff on an informal tour of your medical school/hospital.

Nothing just happens in politics. If something happens you can be sure it was planned that way.
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt