This document discusses the importance of physician involvement in the political process to advance policies that benefit family medicine. It outlines different types of relationships with legislators that physicians can develop, from organic long-standing relationships to more artificial grassroots advocacy. It emphasizes that legislators are driven by politics, so physicians must understand how to effectively engage in the political process to see their policy ideas implemented. The document provides guidance on having productive conversations with different types of legislators prior to votes, and stresses the importance of reasoned arguments over anger or threats when advocating.

1. TAFP
POLICY
WORK
Communicating Family
Medicine’s Priorities
in the
82 Texas Legislature
nd

2. PReP WORK
Development of
advocacy icon
for session, and
launched icon in
advocacy primer
issue of TFP