We have no relationship with the state medical society. How can we get started on changing this?
The AAPA state government manual, Team Building, is chock-full of advice on how to establish that ever-so-critical relationship with a state medical society. If you haven't read "the Big Orange Book" (or BOB, as we like to call it), or if it's been a while, you can download it right here: Team Building.
How do chapters find out what bills in the legislature deserve their attention?
You can go as high- or low-tech as you like with regard to tracking bills within your state's legislature. If you have a lobbyist, chances are that bills affecting PA practice are already being monitored. If you don't have a lobbyist, your government affairs committee chair may appoint an Internet-savvy PA to surf the state legislature's Web site for relevant bills as they are introduced. This is another situation where having a good relationship with the medical society may help; most medical societies have a dedicated government affairs staff person who tracks legislation and may be able to pass along information.
For a fee, state chapters can subscribe to electronic bill tracking services. It is likely that one of these services has already knocked on your chapter's door; discuss with chapter leaders whether your state chapter could use a service like this.
AAPA uses a service to track legislation that affects PA practice in every state. When legislation that we think may be of interest to you comes across our tracking wires, we alert state chapter leaders. Check your e-mail box or voice mail frequently during key times in the state legislative season for these messages (and make sure we have your correct e-mail address).
We need to change our law, but we don't have enough money in the bank to hire a lobbyist. What should we do?
Before signing on the dotted line with that lobbyist, read the Taking Charge article: "Does Your Chapter Need a Lobbyist? What to Do if the Answer is Yes" (page 29). This article asks the questions your chapter should consider before making such an investment.
If the answer is yes, and you need a lobbyist, there are many avenues a state chapter can take to raise funds to defray the cost of hiring a lobbyist. A chapter may:
The Academy has a fund that is used to assist state chapters with state government projects. The money is earmarked to help states with the most difficult situations and greatest financial need. To inquire about a state legislative grant for your chapter, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , our Director of State Government Advocacy and Outreach. Chapters that have well organized projects that will clearly have a positive impact on PA practice are given highest priority.
The State Board of Medicine has proposed some rules restricting PA scope of practice. We need to let them know we are opposed. Should we just send them a letter?
Sending a letter expressing your opposition to the medical board's proposed rules is great, but it would be better to give them your thoughts in person. Consider drafting testimony to be delivered at the next hearing on these rules.
Don't know where to start with writing testimony? The AAPA state government manual, Taking Charge, has a whole section dedicated to preparing and presenting testimony.
If time is of the essence and your chapter has none to spare, consider asking an AAPA State Government Advocacy and Outreach staff member to assist you in preparing this testimony. We can prepare an initial draft for you or review what you have already written. We stand ready to provide help if you need it.
Our legislative committee just announced that they've found a sponsor for our chart co-signature bill. There are plans to introduce this legislation this fall. How can we let PAs in our state know that the chapter is working on this issue?
The AAPA State Legislative Action Center sounds like it would do the trick. This grassroots communication tool can be used to:
Our lobbyist is encouraging us to start a political action committee (PAC). We have no idea what that is or where to get started. Any ideas?
You've probably figured out by now that your lobbyist isn't talking about what she does to get ready for a vacation; she's talking about a political action committee (or in shorthand, a PAC). A number of AAPA chapters have political action committees. A PAC is a legal entity registered in the state in which it conducts business. Its function is to make contributions to political campaigns and lobby state elected officials on matters that affect the physician assistant profession in the state. The PAC may also address other health care issues in which the PA community may have an interest. The PAC solicits contributions from PAs in the state and other interested parties to assist it in funding these activities. We have an excellent article summarizing what a PAC does. If you have more time, check out the section in Taking Charge on PACs, written by your PA colleague and long-time chair of AAPA's federal PAC, Justine Strand.
Members of our state medical board's PA Committee want to know if other states are regulating the use of lasers for hair removal. They also mentioned that they'd like to know more about ionizing radiation laws. Can you help us get more information?
AAPA has dozens of summaries on state laws relating to many topics within the realm of PA practice. For a list of some of these, look here. These summaries are updated as laws change, and can be provided upon request.
Laws outside the traditional PA practice acts are having an increasing impact on how PAs practice. Academy state government staff have resources on a variety of subjects, such as radiology, dermatological procedures, issues related to PAs providing care in disasters, and other "hot" topics. If you ask, we are happy to provide you with further information. If we don't readily have the information, we can always conduct additional research. Just ask.
Ann Davis, PA-C, Director
State Government Advocacy and Outreach
703/836-2272, ext. 3201
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Stephanie Radix, JD, Assistant Director
State Government Advocacy and Outreach
703/836-2272, ext. 3216
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Liz Roe, Assistant Director
State Government Advocacy and Outreach
703/836-2272, ext. 3504
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
David Ashner, Analyst
State Government Advocacy and Outreach
703/836-2272, ext. 3212
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The AAPA state government manual, Team Building, is chock-full of advice on how to establish that ever-so-critical relationship with a state medical society. If you haven't read "the Big Orange Book" (or BOB, as we like to call it), or if it's been a while, you can download it right here: Team Building.
How do chapters find out what bills in the legislature deserve their attention?
You can go as high- or low-tech as you like with regard to tracking bills within your state's legislature. If you have a lobbyist, chances are that bills affecting PA practice are already being monitored. If you don't have a lobbyist, your government affairs committee chair may appoint an Internet-savvy PA to surf the state legislature's Web site for relevant bills as they are introduced. This is another situation where having a good relationship with the medical society may help; most medical societies have a dedicated government affairs staff person who tracks legislation and may be able to pass along information.
For a fee, state chapters can subscribe to electronic bill tracking services. It is likely that one of these services has already knocked on your chapter's door; discuss with chapter leaders whether your state chapter could use a service like this.
AAPA uses a service to track legislation that affects PA practice in every state. When legislation that we think may be of interest to you comes across our tracking wires, we alert state chapter leaders. Check your e-mail box or voice mail frequently during key times in the state legislative season for these messages (and make sure we have your correct e-mail address).
We need to change our law, but we don't have enough money in the bank to hire a lobbyist. What should we do?
Before signing on the dotted line with that lobbyist, read the Taking Charge article: "Does Your Chapter Need a Lobbyist? What to Do if the Answer is Yes" (page 29). This article asks the questions your chapter should consider before making such an investment.
If the answer is yes, and you need a lobbyist, there are many avenues a state chapter can take to raise funds to defray the cost of hiring a lobbyist. A chapter may:
- raise membership dues
- levy a one-time special assessment for chapter members
- kick off a membership drive to recruit more members
- organize a fundraising event
- dip into its chapter reserves
The Academy has a fund that is used to assist state chapters with state government projects. The money is earmarked to help states with the most difficult situations and greatest financial need. To inquire about a state legislative grant for your chapter, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , our Director of State Government Advocacy and Outreach. Chapters that have well organized projects that will clearly have a positive impact on PA practice are given highest priority.
The State Board of Medicine has proposed some rules restricting PA scope of practice. We need to let them know we are opposed. Should we just send them a letter?
Sending a letter expressing your opposition to the medical board's proposed rules is great, but it would be better to give them your thoughts in person. Consider drafting testimony to be delivered at the next hearing on these rules.
Don't know where to start with writing testimony? The AAPA state government manual, Taking Charge, has a whole section dedicated to preparing and presenting testimony.
If time is of the essence and your chapter has none to spare, consider asking an AAPA State Government Advocacy and Outreach staff member to assist you in preparing this testimony. We can prepare an initial draft for you or review what you have already written. We stand ready to provide help if you need it.
Our legislative committee just announced that they've found a sponsor for our chart co-signature bill. There are plans to introduce this legislation this fall. How can we let PAs in our state know that the chapter is working on this issue?
The AAPA State Legislative Action Center sounds like it would do the trick. This grassroots communication tool can be used to:
- keep PAs in your state "in the know" about your chapter's government affairs committee's goals for the coming year
- alert PAs during key moments of the legislative session
- ask PAs to take action during critical phases of a legislative bills' progress through the legislature. For example, a chapter can send out an action alert to ask PAs to call or e-mail a pre-written message to their state legislators.
Our lobbyist is encouraging us to start a political action committee (PAC). We have no idea what that is or where to get started. Any ideas?
You've probably figured out by now that your lobbyist isn't talking about what she does to get ready for a vacation; she's talking about a political action committee (or in shorthand, a PAC). A number of AAPA chapters have political action committees. A PAC is a legal entity registered in the state in which it conducts business. Its function is to make contributions to political campaigns and lobby state elected officials on matters that affect the physician assistant profession in the state. The PAC may also address other health care issues in which the PA community may have an interest. The PAC solicits contributions from PAs in the state and other interested parties to assist it in funding these activities. We have an excellent article summarizing what a PAC does. If you have more time, check out the section in Taking Charge on PACs, written by your PA colleague and long-time chair of AAPA's federal PAC, Justine Strand.
Members of our state medical board's PA Committee want to know if other states are regulating the use of lasers for hair removal. They also mentioned that they'd like to know more about ionizing radiation laws. Can you help us get more information?
AAPA has dozens of summaries on state laws relating to many topics within the realm of PA practice. For a list of some of these, look here. These summaries are updated as laws change, and can be provided upon request.
Laws outside the traditional PA practice acts are having an increasing impact on how PAs practice. Academy state government staff have resources on a variety of subjects, such as radiology, dermatological procedures, issues related to PAs providing care in disasters, and other "hot" topics. If you ask, we are happy to provide you with further information. If we don't readily have the information, we can always conduct additional research. Just ask.
Ann Davis, PA-C, Director
State Government Advocacy and Outreach
703/836-2272, ext. 3201
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Stephanie Radix, JD, Assistant Director
State Government Advocacy and Outreach
703/836-2272, ext. 3216
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Liz Roe, Assistant Director
State Government Advocacy and Outreach
703/836-2272, ext. 3504
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
David Ashner, Analyst
State Government Advocacy and Outreach
703/836-2272, ext. 3212
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
