The Ohio ACEP EM Advocacy Day was Wednesday, March 13th at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Columbus across from the Ohio Statehouse. Ohio ACEP leaders met with Ohio State Senator Shannon Jones, (Vice Chair of the Senate (Finance) Medicaid Committee and Chair of the Senate Medicaid, Health and Human Services Committee); State Representative Lynn Wachtmann, (Chair of the House Committee on Health & Aging); and Ohio’s only physician in the House, State Representative Dr. Terry Johnson.
Senator Jones discussed the current challenging legislative environment as the General Assembly works through the proposed provisions of the state’s biennial budget. She indicated that she understood the legislative language of “cost containment” is often heard by physicians as “cut in rates.” Senator Jones strongly encouraged physicians to be more personally active in advocacy and to make connections with their own legislators.
Representative Wachtmann echoed that message and suggested that physicians should consider engaging with their legislators to be a good investment of time and part of their professional role. As a non-clinical professional, Wachtmann noted that he needs physicians’ input, education and voice to assist with decision making on matters of health policy.
Dr. Johnson recalled that in his early years as a physician, he saw no need for engagement with legislators because government had nothing to do with medicine. Today he says, like it or not, government is involved with medicine and physician practice in all ways! In addition, legislators get their information from those who take the initiative to engage and educate them on issues. Dr. Johnson said that’s why it is so important that physicians step to the plate and inform their legislators. The most effective way for a physician to persuasively educate their legislators about health policy issues is to remain focused on putting arguments in the voice of the patient and in the context of better patient care.
A panel of lobbyists – Amanda Sines (Towner Policy Group), Kelly O’Reilly (Governmental Policy Group) and Tim Maglione, Esq. (Ohio State Medical Association) – closed the program by emphasizing the importance building relationships with legislators and reminded attendees to frame our “wants” into their “needs”. The best way to take the first step in forging that relationship is with a call or an e-mail to introduce yourself as a constituent.
For help in identifying your state legislators, tips on communicating and other guidance on advocacy, feel free contact Executive Director Laura Tiberi at the chapter office at ltiberi@ohacep.org.