With anticipated cuts to the federal budget in 2013, it will be
critical to advocate on behalf of the health programs that ensure patients have
access to primary care and patient-centered treatments. SGIM must advocate for
protecting Medicare, Title VII, NIH and AHRQ. Please join us this March as SGIM
goes to Capitol Hill to advocate for these important issues in education, clinical
practice, and research. The voice of the general internist must be heard by key
decision makers in Congress. Be an advocate for you and your patients!
SGIM's Hill Day will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2013,
beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m. We will hold a dinner and orientation
session the evening before Hill Day (Tuesday, March 12th) during which a
speaker will give you some insight into current issues on Capitol Hill. CRD
Associates, SGIM's policy consultant, will brief you on both advocacy techniques
and the issues in advance of your meetings on Capitol Hill. You will also have
time to meet other SGIM advocates and discuss Hill Day strategies.
Even if you have never participated in an organized advocacy
event, Hill Day is a must-attend event for you and a great way to learn more
about health policy. Never before has health care advocacy been so important!
Not sure how to be an effective advocate? Not to worry-the members of the SGIM
Health Policy Committee are organizing an orientation session just for you.
First-time participants will meet an hour before dinner to learn about the
issues, define some Capitol Hill acronyms and role-play a session with your
"Representative". You'll then join more experienced members for an
informal dinner and a speaker to continue to guide you through this process.
On the morning of March 13th, you will again meet with CRD
Associates and other SGIM advocates for additional briefing and time for
questions. You will then begin your Capitol Hill visits, during which you will
meet in groups with either Congressional staff or members from your state. You
can expect to visit between two to four offices during the day. Afterwards, we
will conduct a debriefing to share experiences and responses from the Hill
staff members. More details on the schedule and the issues being raised will be
available closer to the event. Travel funds are not available for Hill Day.
Please take time out of your schedule to participate in Hill
Day! Strong advocates are a resource for both SGIM and Congressional offices.
RSVP to Francine Jetton no
later than January 28, 2013. Ms. Jetton will provide you with information on
making your travel arrangements once you RSVP. We look forward to
seeing you in March!