[{"id": 8795, "archived": false, "name": "Home Page", "action_center": 3978, "path": "/", "title": "", "page_restriction_type": 1, "widgets": [{"props": {"content": "

Welcome to AAPA\u2019s Advocacy Action Center!

Legislators look to PAs for perspective and information on health care decisions impacting their communities. It is \u200b\u200bcritical that PAs make their voices heard. Together we can achieve our state and federal legislative priorities and move the PA profession forward.

Using the Action Center: Use our calls to action on this page to contact your elected officials \u2013 it takes just a few minutes to send a message.

How else can you make a difference? Here are some resources that make it easy for you:

Learn about AAPA\u2019s advocacy work:

\ufeffRead up on AAPA\u2019s priority issues at www.aapa.org/advocacy-central/

See the latest advocacy news from AAPA on News Central: www.aapa.org/topic/news-central/advocacy-news/
Follow x.com/aapaorg and instagram.com/aapaorg/ to keep up in real time

Get involved with AAPA\u2019s advocacy efforts:

Learn about PA PAC, AAPA\u2019s political action committee, and the only PAC speaking for PAs on Capitol Hill. www.aapa.org/PAC

Find local advocacy opportunities and connect with your chapter or specialty organization: www.aapa.org/advocacy-central/constituent-organizations/
Volunteer to join an AAPA task force or as a subject matter expert; there are many volunteer opportunities available: www.aapa.org/governance/volunteers/

Questions? Contact AAPA at advocacy@aapa.org.

"}, "widgetType": 4}, {"props": {"content": "https://quorum-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploaded_files/2024-12-05/cd7c9fcc58acc0f96ceb62a3916b4fc1/bLuKsXlILjLmejcSJOS5_PAbuttonphoto.jpg"}, "widgetType": 5}, {"props": {"title": "Advocacy Tip: Building Relationships with Legislators for Advocacy Success (January 2025)", "content": "

Click here to learn best practices for getting to know your newlegislators in 2025.

"}, "widgetType": 4}, {"props": {"id": 9415, "content": ""}, "widgetType": 9}, {"props": {"title": "Follow AAPA in real time!", "content": "aapaorg"}, "widgetType": 16}, {"props": {"text": "sign up for GAIN updates", "title": "GAIN", "buttonUrl": "/click here", "mediaType": 1, "buttonText": "GAIN ", "hideCtaButton": false, "isLeftAligned": true, "useBackgroundColor": false}, "widgetType": 23}, {"props": {"title": "test"}, "widgetType": 4}], "requires_login": false, "widget_layout_type": 17, "custom_javascript": "", "custom_css": "", "disclaimer_text": "", "use_page_region": false, "can_access": true, "cannot_access_message": null}, {"id": 9489, "archived": false, "name": "Getting to Know you 2025", "action_center": 3978, "path": "/Gettoknow2025/", "title": "", "page_restriction_type": 1, "widgets": [{"props": {"title": "Getting to Know You: New Legislators in 2025", "content": "

At the start of every new\nlegislative session \u2013 whether we\u2019re talking about Congress in Washington or at\nstate capitols across the country \u2013 it is critically important that PAs lay\nthe foundation for legislative success early by introducing themselves and\nthe PA profession to these decisionmakers who have the\npower to change the future of the profession for years to come. Here are 5 tips for getting acquainted and\nstarting the process of building lasting, productive relationships.

\n\n

Do\n your research. Identify your new legislators and research their\n background; check AAPA\u2019s Advocacy Action Center easy access to this\n information. Do they have prior\n healthcare experience? Do any of your CO\u2019s board members have an existing\n relationship with incoming legislators? Are there other factors which\n might make them potential supporters of your issues? Most new legislators have\n extensive bios on their campaign websites where you can learn about their\n profession and interests.
Reach\n out. Reach out via phone or email to congratulate the\n new legislator and briefly introduce yourself, your CO, and the\n profession. Indicate that you are excited to work together and offer to be\n a resource in the community for the legislator on healthcare \u2013\n specifically, PA issues. Once they begin to set up their offices, be sure\n to reach out to the newly hired staff as well. They\u2019re getting up to speed\n on many issues and you can serve as an important resource for\n healthcare-related topics.
Arrange\n a meeting. As any successful PA advocate knows, visits and personal\n communications from constituents are the best way to influence a\n legislator on an issue. Ask to meet with the legislator and health staffer\n in person. Bring a brief\n backgrounder about PAs in your state and consider presenting your\n top legislative priorities for the new year. This is primarily a\n get-to-know-you meeting, so don\u2019t overwhelm or aggressively seek their\n support quite yet, there\u2019ll be plenty of time for that.
Use\n your PA skills. Foster your budding advocacy relationships in the\n same way you build rapport with patients: be friendly, approachable, knowledgeable,\n honest, and available. Potential champions will come\n to see you as a trusted resource in their community, and you\u2019ll be well-positioned\n to inform their decision making.
Keep\n in touch. Establishing a relationship with your legislator is a\n marathon, not a sprint. Communicate often and let legislators and staff\n know the role PAs are playing in your community. Invite them to visit your\n practice/facility, attend their events in your area such as town-hall\n meetings, and participate in your CO\u2019s lobby day at the state capital. Re-state your legislative priorities and\n your willingness to be a resource the legislator can count on. Show\n appreciation for their interest and efforts on your behalf \u2013 \u201cthank you\u201d\n goes a long way. AAPA has many\n grassroots advocacy resources to assist you on our website.

\n\n

Building relationships takes time and persistence, but there\nis no better indicator of potential legislative success than the strength of\nyour relationships with decisionmakers at the state and federal levels.\nQuestions about advocacy? Contact Kristin Butterfield, AAPA\u2019s Director of\nGrassroots and Political Advocacy, at kbutterfield@aapa.org.

"}, "widgetType": 4}, {"props": {"content": "https://quorum-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploaded_files/2025-01-06/6d2133a803dcd2e9a1c21e092d87e348/r3uMzKYXhdjYylZ38eVY_LASstepswithletters2024.jpg"}, "widgetType": 5}], "requires_login": false, "widget_layout_type": 2, "custom_javascript": "", "custom_css": "", "disclaimer_text": "", "use_page_region": false, "can_access": true, "cannot_access_message": null}]