Make a Commitment: Engage in AAPA Advocacy Opportunities

Take a Proactive Role in Supporting AAPA Advocacy Efforts

March 15, 2023

In our ongoing effort to provide opportunities for AAPA members to engage in advocacy activities on behalf of the PA profession, the AAPA Advocacy and Government Relations staff is providing the following information for AAPA members who wish to make a commitment to take a proactive role in supporting AAPA advocacy efforts. Please review the following opportunities and make a commitment to AAPA advocacy today!

Become an AAPA Key Contact
AAPA’s Key Contact program is a national network of PAs who have an existing relationship with a member of Congress (or who would be willing to build one), and who would be willing to maintain those positive relationships through advocacy on AAPA policy priorities throughout the year.

By signing up to be a Key Contact, you commit to do at least one of the following this year:

• Travel to Washington, D.C. for a meeting with your legislators – In addition to the annual Leadership and Advocacy Summit, AAPA staff will be considering a series of “fly-in” meetings as needed in 2023, as an opportunity for AAPA Key Contacts to travel to Washington, D.C., receive a briefing on important policy developments, and meet with their members of Congress. Face-to-face visits are the first, important step toward building a meaningful relationship with a member of Congress.
• Meet with your legislators in their state/district offices – Many people forget that their members of Congress spend a lot of time at home, in their districts, listening to their constituents’ concerns. In fact, Congress is generally only in session Tuesday through Thursday during the week to allow members the time they need to travel back home. AAPA can help you arrange and prepare you to discuss legislative issues that affect your ability to provide the highest quality care to your patients.
• Attend a local in-person or virtual “town hall meeting” held by your legislators – You can make a very positive impression at a town hall meeting if you attend prepared with a thoughtful question and a reasonable argument to defend your position. You may get more attention than you would expect, because the member of Congress will appreciate the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with a constituent.
• Host facility or practice tour – Another way to build a relationship with your members of Congress is to invite them to visit your place of work. Site visits are great ways to help your members of Congress get to know you. AAPA staff can assist you with planning and hosting your tour.
• Host or co-host a political event for your legislators – Of course, a big part of a politician’s job is making sure that they have a job in the coming years. In order to do that, they must raise money and campaign. Once you have developed a relationship with your members of Congress, you may decide to support them in an upcoming election by hosting a fundraising event.
• Contribute to PA PAC – AAPA members are eligible to contribute to PA PAC, the only federal political action committee representing PAs on Capitol Hill. PA PAC supports the election campaigns of Congressional candidates who understand and are committed to the principles to which the PA profession is dedicated. You can find more information about the PA PAC here.

In return for your commitment to AAPA advocacy, AAPA Key Contacts will have the opportunity to participate in virtual advocacy training and policy briefings from AAPA Advocacy staff, and email updates containing information on advocacy activities and highlights from fellow key contacts.

To sign up to be a Key Contact, complete this form. For more information on becoming a successful advocate, consult the AAPA Advocacy page.

Inform AAPA about Emerging/Challenging Policy Issues
Are you dealing with an emerging or challenging legislative, regulatory, or professional practice policy issue and need AAPA’s assistance? In an effort to assist AAPA members with these issues, the Advocacy and Government Relations team has developed a process for members to share information on policy issues that may have a negative impact on your practice and potentially other PAs. Please use the AAPA Policy Issue Identification Worksheet to provide us with further information.

Completing this brief worksheet will provide AAPA Advocacy & Government Relations staff with the core information necessary to assess the potential impact of the policy, and determine if the issue aligns with AAPA’s policy priorities and whether action is required. AAPA staff will evaluate each submission and if warranted, devise a strategy to address the proposed policy issue.

If you have any questions regarding these opportunities, email [email protected]. We look forward to having you make a commitment to  advocacy on behalf of the profession. Thank you!

Contributions to PA PAC are not tax deductible as charitable donations. PA PAC may only accept personal contributions from current AAPA members and employees of AAPA. Contributions to PA PAC are used for political purposes and are subject to the prohibitions and limitations of the Federal Election Campaign Act. Contributions to PA PAC are voluntary. You have the right to refuse to contribute without fear of reprisal. Federal law requires PA PAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, address, occupation, and employer of individuals whose contributions aggregate $200 or more per calendar year.

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