1/7/2020 Disclosures Effective Grassroots Involvement in the Policymaking Process “I Heidi Ecker, have no conflicts of interest or financial Heidi Ann Ecker relationships to disclose.” Senior Director of Government Affairs & Political Engagement National Association of Chain Drug Stores in Arlington, VA Hecker@nacds.org 1 2 Learning Objectives (1) Describe the policymaking process, including how a bill becomes a law; (2) Discuss ways to meaningfully communicate with policymakers; and (3) Describe the power of grassroots involvement in the pharmacy industry. 3 4 Increasing Voter Engagement… Decreasing Lobbyist Trends… 3,780 Healthcare Lobbyists 2017* Congressional Management Foundation found almost half (48%) of registered voters Nearly 5% Lobbyist Decrease contacted a Member of Congress within 2012-2017 the last 5 years. 2012: 3,934 lobbyists 2013: 3,921 lobbyists 2014: 3,782 lobbyists 2015: 3,871 lobbyists 2016: 3,815 lobbyists ** Center for Responsive Politics 5 6 1
1/7/2020 Shifting Power to Voters… Grassroots: Increased campaign finance and lobby reforms Powerful voter opinions that “personify” policy impact and More issues, more ways to keep informed influence policy outcomes. “Recount” elections show 1 vote matters Policymakers more accountable to “the people” The Result? Flourishing grassroots… 7 8 Barriers to Involvement What’s Your Role in the Community? • Apathetic • Having the time to act in a busy workday • Policy happenings seem far from home • Intimidated • Policy changes won’t impact me, my patients • Sympathetic • What difference can one person really make? • I don’t know where to start • Advocate 9 10 Grassroots Program… If You Vote, You are Engaged! Grassroots Program: Organized effort of like-minded Elections: Nov. 3, 2020 Benefits: Many voices unified strengthens power What it’s Like: Online, Email Updates, Calls to Action 11 12 2
1/7/2020 Your Policymakers Use Mailing Address, Zip Code: Representing Home Two U.S. Senators One U.S. Representative MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: (P.O. Boxes Not Acceptable!) How leader roles are relevant to issues Your Power: Vote in Elections Grant Policymaker Jobs Pharmacy Expert 13 14 Your Policymakers Your Policymakers Play Role in Your Work/School Representing Work Home Work Community Two US Senators One US Representative Your Power: Community Jobs Your Power: Your Power: Constituents Served Vote in Elections Community Jobs Pharmacy Expert Grant Policymaker Jobs Constituents Served Pharmacy Expert Pharmacy Expert 15 16 Congress and Your Policymakers Speaking at Event Elected Official’s Daily Life U.S. Congress Party Obligations Comparison House Senate Committee Meetings Chamber Size Large (435) Small (100) Staff Meetings 232 Democrats 45 Democrats Party 198 Republicans 53 Republicans Caucus Gatherings 1 Independent 2 Independents 4 Vacancies CA/MD/NY/WI Constituent Meeting Term 2 years 6 years Votes (1K last yr) Constituency District area State area Election Less competitive More competitive Cong. Session (7hr) Partisan More partisan Less partisan Fundraisers 17 18 3
1/7/2020 What Policymakers Care About U.S. Congress – Leadership Minority (Democratic) Leader President Pro Tempore Policy impact on constituents Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) To-the-point rationale Majority (Republican) Leader Minority Whip Supportive data Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) Personal stories Majority Whip Any relative cost savings NRCC Chairman Sen. John Thune (R-SD) Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) Know what they care about Do Your Homework 19 20 Four Key Healthcare Committees Key Policymakers: Alaska Senate Finance Committee: tax-related health programs Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, other tax-financed programs Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee: public health Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) HELP Aging, Biomedical Research/Development, Occupational health Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) Rep. Don Young (R-At Large) House Energy & Commerce Committee: public health Health & Human Services, Federal Trade Commission, Food & Drug Admin. House Ways & Means Committee: tax-related health programs Medicare and Social Security Other committees could play a role on issues important to pharmacy. Newly Elected Members of Congress 21 22 THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS 23 24 4
1/7/2020 Formal Bill Approval Overview Politics & Reality of Policy 2015-2016 2005-2006 Bills Introduced: 12,063 Bills Introduced: 13,068 Effective Communication Public Laws Enacted: 329 Public Laws Enacted: 483 Percentage of Total: 2.7% Percentage of Total: 3.6% *Source: Resume of Congressional Record Activity Congressional Record Process is Complicated Don’t Have to Be an Expert in Process/Procedure to Get Involved! 25 26 Effective Communications (all vehicles) • Constituent Connection MEANINGFUL COMMUNICATIONS: • Your Role to Issue What you need to know before linking • Share Issue Concerns constituency – issues – leaders • Include a Formal “Ask” • Say Thank You Be as Brief as Possible 27 28 Meaningful Communications We Must be Memorable Given Competition! Approach Research (job,party,support) Long-term relationship Proactive vs. reactive Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care GlaxoSmithKline American College of Emergency Physicians Healthcare-NOW! American Dental Association Medtronic Inc American Hospital Association Going In National Association of Social Workers American Medical Association Don’t be intimidated: you are an expert American Nurses Association National Physicians Alliance Amgen Inc Pharmaceutical Care Management Assn Presume no exposure to issue AstraZeneca PLC Pharmaceutical Rsrch & Mfrs of America Stick to key messages Bayer AG Physicians for a National Health Program Don’t judge staff (age/title) Biotechnology Industry Organization Service Employees Shout America Blue Cross/Blue Shield UnitedHealth Group Bristol-Myers Squibb Eli Lilly & Co Convo Don’t use professional jargon Never mention political contributions Unanswerable questions great for follow up 29 30 5
1/7/2020 TOOLS & TACTICS: strategic/effective communication tactics 31 32 Letter Phone Calls You: Call Sen/Rep Office (will speak to staff) State Name, Address, Pharmacy Role Speak to Receptionist, Staffer on Issue Briefly Review Issue & Why You Care Staff: Asks name, address (to confirm constituent) Takes notes about your issue/concerns Keeps tally about number of calls on issues Reports call “tally” to team 33 34 Meetings Flow of an Effective Meeting 1 Open with introductions / business cards / pleasantries 2 Stress constituency connection How Meetings are Scheduled 3 Review how your role connects to issue What to Expect to Accomplish 4 Share issue opinions / supportive stories Meeting Location & Area 5 Point to “Leave Behind” packet for details Length of Each Meeting 6 Entertain questions, but only if you know answer Who Attends a Meeting 7 Directly ask office to support the issue 8 Close with: (1) forward requested details; (2) always available resource; and (3) provide thanks Policymaker Schedules are Fluid…Be Prepared for Anything! 35 36 6
1/7/2020 Four Different Meeting Scenarios Four Different Meeting Scenarios Meeting Type C (No Commitment) Meeting Type A (Agree) Office Reaction Office Reaction: Office listens, asks few/no questions After introducing issue, office agrees Noncommittal: “I’ll think about what you have said” Your Response: Your Response Reconfirm: “I’m pleased to hear you will support…” This a common meeting: tell your story Ask them to work other Members to build support Ask questions to see what influences their decision Meeting Type D (Disagree) Meeting Type B (Blank Canvass) Office Reaction Office Reaction After introducing the issue, office disagrees Office not familiar with issue (i.e. new/not aware) Your Response Your Response Ask why they may not support Describe position, ask questions to get feedback Determine if the problem is the issue or politics Highlight “Leave Behind” as helpful in staff memo-writing Agree no bill’s perfect, find out problem part of bill 37 38 How to Report on Your Efforts Establishing a Long-Term Relationship • Meetings Can Reveal Important Details • Four Types of Meaningful Reporting 1) Advocate Perspective 2) Relationship Perspective 3) Issue Perspective 4) Follow Up Perspective • “Recon” Can Happen Anywhere • It’s All for Nothing if Not Shared 39 40 Town Hall Meetings Pharmacy Tours Purpose of Town Halls Pharmacy Tour Held When Home Arranging Tour Announced to Mailing Lists Preparing for Tour What it’s Like to Attend Benefits: Educate Leader and Public Advocate: Voter, Pharmacy, Issue Watch one for starters! Pharmacy advocates host pharmacy tours for members of the U.S. Congress. 41 42 7
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