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Advocacy From The Ground Up. How To Be A Successful Legislative Liaison. Ian Murray, Chair of the LGN Ashley Ginsberg, District 6-7 Legislative Coordinator. Why Should Dental Students Be Paying Attention to Legislative Issues?. Our Profession, Our Future.
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Advocacy From The Ground Up How To Be A Successful Legislative Liaison Ian Murray, Chair of the LGN Ashley Ginsberg, District 6-7 Legislative Coordinator
Why Should Dental Students Be Paying Attention to Legislative Issues?
Our Profession, Our Future Decisions made at the state and federal level affect the future of dentistry… - How and where we practice - How we are compensated - What materials we are allowed to use - What procedures we are allowed to perform
Government is in the Dental Business - The cost of your dental education - Your state dental license - Taxes (personal and business) - Personnel - Regulatory mandates - Healthcare Reform
Protecting Our Profession Members cite political advocacy as the #1 benefit in organized dentistry - State associations - council/committee on Governmental Affairs - lobbyists - State Political Action Committees - American Dental Political Action Committee - ASDA’s Legislative Grassroots Network
What We Can Do • Take the time to learn about the political process in your state • Learn about issues that are important to your future • Participate in ASDA • Attend political events in your area
ASDA’s Legislative Grassroots Network • What is the ASDA Legislative Grassroots Network? • Works to increase dental student understanding and involvement in the legislative process, both locally and nationally. • Educate ASDA members, dental organizations and legislators about issues important to dental students. • Provide students with the information they need on matters concerning dentistry and other health issues. Source: http://asdanet.org/legislativegrassrootsnetwork.aspx
ASDA’s Legislative Grassroots Network • How is the Legislative Grassroots Network organized? • Chair • ADPAC Student Director • Five legislative coordinators • Board of trustees liaison • Local legislative liaisons Source: http://asdanet.org/legislativegrassrootsnetwork.aspx
How does the LGN work? • Annual events • National Dental Student Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. • State Lobby Days • Advocacy Events • ADPAC Drives • General body meetings • Letter writing campaigns • Starting and signing petitions • Advocacy is not always wearing a suit in the Capitol • Educating members is a huge part!
National Dental Student Lobby Day • National Student Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. • April 16-17, 2012 • 326 students attended • Two issues lobbied: • H.R. 1666 Breaking Barriers to Oral Health Act of 2011 • H.R. 4170 Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012
ASDA Current Issues • Student Loans • Mid Level Providers • Dental Therapy Education Programs • Licensure • Boards and Specialization • New Dental Schools Opening • State Issues? • Additionally • Comprehensive Dental Reform Act 2012 • HRSA not funded for alternative dental providers
District Level Issues New dental schools opening • Does Florida need a new dental school? Dentists providing vaccinations? • Illinois dentists split on the issue Expanded Function Dental Assistants • Support in New Hampshire Vermont • Support for Mid-level provider programs with Kellogg Medicaid Adult dental benefits • Schools dealing with loss of benefits
Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, 2012 Ideal LGN Recipient 86% increase in ASDA membership from 2011 to 2012 Had 9 Lobby Day appointments Provided scholarships to attend NLD Voter Registration Drives Meet and Greets with government officials Involvement in state and local dental societies PGY1 debates Politics 101
SuccessfulLGNs: University of Florida Hand written follow ups from Lobby Day UF ASDA business cards distributed at lobbying appointments. More than 18 lunch and learns, rather than one ADPAC week.
Other Ideas from Top LGN Chapters UConn: Legislative Panel Pacific: Lobby Day follow up phone calls OSU: Advocacy Academy Illinois: Attending State Society meetings and student submitted resolutions.
Questions to ask What changes are you concerned about in your state? What needs do you have that the LGN can assist you with? What ideas are you looking to initiate at your own chapters?
What can we do to help? Contact Ian or Ashley • Ianmurraydmd@gmail.com • ashley.ginsberg@gmail.com
The Legislative Grassroots Network 2012-13 • Chair, Ian Murray, WesternU, ianmurraydmd@gmail.com • ADPAC Student Director, Ross Isbell, Alabama, isbellg@uab.edu • District 1-3 Legislative Coordinator, Christina Shaw, Connecticut, cshaw@student.uchc.edu • District 4-5 Legislative Coordinator, Phil Bell, Florida, pbell@dental.ufl.edu • District 6-7 Legislative Coordinator, Ashley Ginsberg, Illinois, ashley.ginsberg@gmail.com • District 8-9 Legislative Coordinator, Emily Tschetter, Nebraska, emily.tschetter@unmc.edu • District 10-11 Legislative Coordinator, Spencer Armuth, Las Vegas, spencer.armuth@gmail.com