In the keynote speech at today’s 2009 Legislative Conference, grassroots advocacy expert Mike Dunn spoke to ACC members about the importance of grassroots lobbying and political action committees in influencing policy. He made very clear how much of an effect the two can have in influencing policy. If you want to do what you do (treating patients), you have to get involved in politics, he said. It doesn’t matter whether you like politics, he noted -- politics likes you. According to Mike, he who determines the rules, determines the care patients receive. Cardiovascular professionals have to be part of the equation of who determines the rules.

Mike also discussed a brief history of political donations. With the outlaw of soft donations, organizations like the ACC have a limited ability to influence lawmakers and form relationships. Because PACs and grassroots are the only two ways for us to influence policymakers legally, cardiovascular professionals must see themselves not just as medical professionals, but also as government relations professionals. Our strength is in our relationships with lawmakers, which we must bolster through our visits and through our donations.

He closed his presentation with some pointers for our Hill visits tomorrow:

• Don’t tell the history of cardiology or your own income concerns – your time is too short
  
  
• Emphasize the effects of the CMS cuts on quality of care and the viability of your practice
  
  
• Put in a word for tort reform. Health care reform should have tort reform – we won’t get Republican support without it
  
  
• Don’t ignore the staffer in the room

Mike started his presentation by saying, "Your house is on fire." Sadly, this is true. We got to use our advocacy efforts – even if you don’t like to get involved, even if you hate politics – to make sure we can put the fire out. Visit's ACC PAC's Web site here.