Health Policy Action Network

It’s new! Improved! And incredibly easy to join. In the 2008 - 2009 cycle, the Health Policy Action Network (HPAN) will serve as AMSA’s policy advocacy arm in the states.

AMSA’s HPAN: Speak Truth to Power. Directly.

For 58 years, AMSA, the nation’s largest independent organization of physicians-in-training, has been on the front lines of health policy, advocating for systemic changes that will improve the American public’s health and make sure our healthcare and health education systems reflect our values.  We have been active and highly effective in lobbying on Capitol Hill.

Now it’s time to take it to the next level.  In addition to continuing AMSA’s work on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, we have to expand and start talking to legislators in their home offices – that’s where YOU come in!

HPAN’s purpose is to carry out AMSA’s national legislative agenda by conducting district-level meetings with US Senators and Representatives.

Why Lobbying Matters:

In this crucial election year, arguably the most important election in the past 30 years, health care has become cruicially important to voters. The pressure that teams of physicians-in-training can put on congress (and congressional candidates) is huge. Republicans want to keep their jobs, democrats want to gain a more substantial majority, and everyone needs to answer for why healthcare costs are spiraling out of control. Distance activism campaigns, such as mass email campaigns, call-ins, and letter writing campaigns are indispensable parts of political activism. But meeting with a legislator is the most effective way for a small group of people to apply pressure towards policy reform. When people take the time to visit a politician’s office, their voices are, literally and figuratively, heard.

Why You Matter as a Lobbyist:

Legislators and their staff are nearly always generalists, and our voices carry enormous weight. As highly trained and motivated health professionals-in-training (or for alumni, professionals in practice), our voices carry the weight of expertise. Our stories bring the plight of our patients to bear on policymakers. As an informed, voting activist, your voice speaks for the millions of Americans who want change. With a little training, we promise you’ll be prepared to make the right arguments, and push forward a healthcare agenda that is worthy of your current and future patients.

Being an HPAN Lobbyist:

If you understand that putting on a white coat embodies a contract to serve patients beyond direct medical service, if you want to use political advocacy to improve the social, environmental and economic conditions that foster better health outcomes, HPAN IS for you, Click on the link at the bottom of this page to sign up. And don’t forget to talk to your friends! We will give you the resources you need, and one-on-one contact as whenever you ask for it. With a little training, you will become an excellent lobbyist.

We simply want YOU, the interested AMSA member to sign up, prepare for meetings with our step-by-step instructions, and go to at least 2 meetings with legislators each semester ( ≥4 per year), as a guideline. HPAN members pick the meeting times. No taking away from your time with patients and studying. Simply click Getting Started: Sign-up and the resources of AMSA will be at your fingertips. Step up for better healthcare, and join AMSA’s Health Policy Action Network. Questions can be directed to HPAN’s chair, Ben Goold at amsa.hpan@gmail.com.

• Getting Started: Sign Up!
• Post Lobby Visit Log
• Report Your Chapter Officers Conference Lobby Day Visit

The Health Policy Action Network has been reworked from last year.  If you applied last year, please contact the Team Chair, Flávio Casoy, at amsa.healthpolicy@gmail.com for a full explanation.