Make Your Voice Heard!

By Aileen E. Wetzel

The successful practice of medicine requires engagement far beyond just the exam room. Every day, policymakers make decisions that shape the future of health care — decisions that affect your patients, your profession, and the broader medical community.

Physician advocacy is more important than ever in today’s often chaotic and unpredictable political environment. It’s vital that our voices are loud; as the saying goes, if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu. That’s why it’s so essential to engage directly with lawmakers and to ensure that the voices of physicians and patients are heard in large numbers in the federal and state legislative processes.

Misinformation that is contrary to science or the realities of our health care system needs to be countered and overwhelmed. Decisions by policymakers must be informed and with the understanding that there are very real ramifications to public health and health care in general if they are based solely on politics.

On April 9, the California Medical Association will host its 51st annual Legislative Advocacy Day in Sacramento, right in SSVMS’s backyard. Our goal is to show up with an unprecedented number of members ready to defend health care and advance policies that are beneficial to our patients. This is the best opportunity of the year for physicians and medical students to unite, to engage with state legislators, and to advocate for policies that support the medical profession and patient care. It’s your chance to make a difference.

CMA’s annual legislative day has enabled hundreds of physician and medical student leaders from a range of specialties and practice settings across California to descend on the Capitol and inform legislators and staff about the state’s most pressing health care issues. Another benefit is that it’s great training for everyone who participates on how to effectively advocate for policy, understand the often confusing and nuanced legislative process, and help shape the future of medicine in our state.

What to Expect

Before the event, all registered attendees will receive a webinar training covering the latest legislation and policies affecting medical practice. Once at the Capitol, participants will meet face-to-face with legislators and their staff to discuss priority health care issues, mostly by sharing firsthand experiences from the front lines of patient care. These conversations are critical — not only to influence policy decisions in the moment but also to establish relationships that position physicians as trusted resources for future legislative discussions. When lawmakers have access to medical professionals who can explain the real-world impact of proposed policies, the result is smarter, more effective health care legislation. Beyond advocacy, the event offers a chance to connect with like-minded colleagues who share a commitment to shaping the future of medicine.

Who Can Attend?

Legislative Advocacy Day is an exclusive benefit for SSVMS and CMA members. Non-members interested in participating will be placed on a waitlist, with approvals granted closer to the event date. To avoid the waitlist, join SSVMS today and secure your place among the state’s leading physician advocates.

Your Voice Matters!

Decisions made in the Capitol have a direct impact on your ability to provide quality care. By attending Legislative Advocacy Day, you’ll help ensure that policymakers hear directly from those who understand patient care best — physicians like you. Together, we can drive policy that you, your colleagues, and your patients can benefit from as we shape the future of health care in our state.

You can learn more about CMA’s 51st Annual Legislative Advocacy Day by visiting www.cmadocs.org. Signing up to participate in the training and SSVMS delegation is easy — just click here to go to CMA's event page with all the information you need. We look forward to seeing you on April 9!