CONFERENCE OVERVIEW:

PAs: What is one of the most important things you can do for your career and the PA profession in 2012? Attend Capitol Connection, March 25-27, in Alexandria, VA, and speak for the profession on Capitol Hill.

Capitol Connection 2012 is an opportunity to join hundreds of PAs and PA students from across the country, speaking as one unified voice in the halls of Congress on legislative priority issues such as hospice, electronic health incentives, and funding for PA programs.

AAPA’s only dedicated advocacy conference features two and a half days of interactive learning sessions, leadership building, networking, and of course, meetings with legislators and staff on Capitol Hill. Up to 7.5 hours of category I CME credit will be awarded for participation in all sessions offered Sunday and Monday.

Additionally, this year, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with AAPA’s leadership on Sunday evening when AAPA’s Listening Tour, featuring AAPA President Robert Wooten and CEO Jennifer Dorn, makes a stop at Capitol Connection. 

 TENTATIVE AGENDA [PDF]

REGISTRATION:

AAPA will provide comprehensive logistical support, advocacy training, background on the legislative issues, materials, two breakfasts, lunch on Monday, all breaks, an evening reception on Tuesday, and even get you to and from Capitol Hill. Additionally, up to 7.5 hours of category I CME credits will be awarded for participation in all workshops and Hill visits.

• AAPA members: $100
• Non-member: $375 (includes a complimentary one-year AAPA membership)
• Students: $25

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• To register by fax, please use the PDF Registration Form  

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion of this meeting, participants will know:

• What is advocacy, and the four reasons PAs MUST engage Congress. 
• How to be an effective advocate for the profession’s policy priorities, including the steps to a successful meeting with a legislator.
• The challenges PA advocates must overcome to achieve policy success on Capitol Hill.
• The top health policy priorities for physician assistants and the patients they treat.
• How Congress works and legislates, and how PA advocacy fits into the political process to create positive change for patients and the profession.

HOUSING INFORMATION:

AAPA has negotiated a block of rooms from March 25-27, 2012 at the Westin Alexandria, in historic Alexandria, Va. This hotel is on the Metro Blue and Yellow line, and a short ride from Capitol Hill.

Please register online or call the Westin Alexandria at 1-866-837-4210 to make your reservations. A discounted room rate of $229 plus tax has been secured for conference attendees. Be sure to ask for the American Academy of Physician Assistants room block.

This room block will be held until Feb. 24. We cannot guarantee the group rate after this date.

QUESTIONS:

For questions about the Capitol Connection program, including Hill visits, contact Kristin Butterfield, director of grassroots advocacy, at kbutterfield@aapa.org. For questions about registration or housing, contact Heiwote Aberra, program assistant, at haberra@aapa.org.