National Cardiovascular Data Registries (NCDR) Annual Meeting: Political Advocacy

American College of Cardiology: Political Advocacy Molly Nichelson American College of Cardiology 2400 N Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20037 Email: [email_address] Phone: (202) 375-6470 www.acc.org/can DM# 359187

Topics of Discussion

Civics Quiz Time

Importance of Civic Involvement

Congressional Committees

Becoming an Advocate – or a better one

How the ACC Activates its Members

Civics Quiz Time!! Get those voting devices ready to win fabulous cash and prizes!!* *Did I say fabulous cash and prizes? I meant bragging rights amongst your friends.

Name the THREE Branches of the U.S. Government

A.) Military, Executive & President

B.) Executive, Legislative & Military

C.) Legislative, Executive & Judicial

D.) I don’t care. Throw the bums out!

LEGISLATIVE

U.S. House of Representatives www.house.gov

How many members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?

A.) 100

B.) 350

C.) 435

How long is a term for a U.S. House of Representatives member?

A.) Two years

B.) Four years

C.) Six years

U.S. Senate www.senate.gov

How many members are there in the U.S. Senate?

A.) 100

B.) 50

C.) 435

How long is a term for a U.S. Senate member?

A.) One year

B.) Four years

C.) Six years

EXECUTIVE

The White House www.whitehouse.gov

How many years is in a Presidential term?

A.) One

B.) Four

C.) Seven

D.) I don’t care. Throw the bum out!

JUDICIAL

U.S. Supreme Court www.supremecourtus.gov

How many justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court?

A.) One

B.) Seven

C.) Nine

So how did you do on the Civics Quiz? And if you answered mostly D’s…the next slide is for you

Congressional Committees

What is a Congressional Committee?

Jurisdiction over specific areas

Members of Congress specialize in the committees they’re assigned

Holds hearings

Conducts investigations

Crafts legislation

Assigned Committee staff

Key Congressional Committees

Jurisdiction Over Healthcare:

Senate Health, Education Labor & Pensions Committee (HELP)

Website: http://help.senate.gov/

Chairman: Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA)

Ranking Member: Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY)

Senate Finance Committee

Website: http://finance.senate.gov/

Chairman: Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

Ranking Member: Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA)

Senate Finance Health Subcommittee

Website: http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/subcommittees.htm

Chairman: Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV)

Ranking Member: Senator Orrin Hatch (R-IA)

House Energy & Commerce Committee

Website: http:// energycommerce.house.gov /

Chairman: Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA)

Ranking Member: Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX)

House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee

Website: http://energycommerce.house.gov/

Chairman: Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ)

Ranking Member: Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA)

House Ways & Means Committee

Website: http:// waysandmeans.house.gov /

Chairman: Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY)

Ranking Member: Congressman David Camp (R-MI)

House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee

Website: http:// waysandmeans.house.gov/members.asp?comm =1

Chairman: Congressman Fortney Stark (D-CA)

Ranking Member: Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA)

The Importance of Civic Involvement

Know Who Impacts Your Life And how YOU can impact the decisions they make for YOU

Impacting & Educating Various Stakeholder Groups

Your Workplace

What are you workplaces’ top concerns?

How do they communicate with you?

E-newsletter(s), bulletin boards, intranet, meetings, water cooler

How do you communicate with them (if at all)?

Your Community

Charities and Religious Institutions

Civic Organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc.)

City, County and State Governments

What are your top community-related concerns?

Economy, taxes, healthcare, education, crime

Your Community

How do your community groups communicate with you?

Newsletters, newspapers, websites, civic groups, townhalls

How do you communicate with them (if at all)?

Newspaper Letters to the Editor, blogs, townhalls, in person meetings, email, fax and phone

Your Legislators (Local, State and Federal)

Do you know who they are?

Federal: www.House.gov ; www.Senate.gov

State, County and Cities: http://www.usa.gov/

It’s important to know who represents you!

Your Legislators (Local, State and Federal)

Know which issues they care about the most

Committees they sit on

Where they grew up, went to school, worship, which organizations they belong to…

Finding that common bond that unites you and how can form a symbiotic relationship

Sign up for their e-newsletters

Becoming an Advocate Or becoming a better advocate

Share Your Ideas

Good ideas and relevant information are vital

Workplace

Community

Legislators

Cardiovascular specialists are healthcare experts

You see the impact on your patients, community and the healthcare industry

Network & Share Your Ideas

Advocacy is about personal relationships

Sharing your knowledge and passions to affect change

Decisions are being made without your input

Important to advocate for yourself on all levels

Teach your children and grandchild about the importance of being an advocate

Attend Public Meetings

Take the time to attend public meetings or forums

Religious, civic, governmental

You are an expert in regard to healthcare – share this firsthand knowledge and choose to be an advocate for your profession

At the conclusion of the program, introduce yourself to the speaker(s)

Contacting Your Legislators

Sign up for all your legislators’ newsletters

Go to their websites for more information

Helpful in keeping tabs on important legislation

Email your legislators

Most members of Congress receive email

Contacting Your Legislators

Call your legislators

Check your phone book or go online

Meet with your legislators

Not as scary as it sounds

Attend Political Functions

Fundraisers

How the ACC Activates its Members* *Become an ACC member as a Cardiac Care Associate http://www.acc.org/membership/cca/join/join.htm

Email Action Alerts Emails called ‘Action Alerts’ are sent to ACC members during pressing legislative times. Members are directed to call and/or email their members of Congress.

Calling Your Legislators