APMA News - May/June 2018 - 62

Federal Advocacy Forum
By Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM

Students and Residents: Invest in
Your Profession, Invest in Yourself
July 1 marks an important milestone for graduating podiatric medical students and residents as they transition into the
next phase of their careers. With change comes a new set of responsibilities and demands on your time and energy. Even
through this transition, you can stay involved in the "big picture" of the profession in which you have invested so much time
and money. Read on to learn how a busy young professional can
still give time and resources, the absolute best investments you
can make toward your career.
Responding to APMA legislative calls to action is essential to
the success of the profession as a whole, even if at first glance the
topic does not appear to affect you directly. For example, the VA
Provider Equity Act (HR 1058) directly affects podiatric physicians and surgeons working in the VA system, but it is also a
piece of the strategy to end discriminatory practices by insurers

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62 APMA News May/June 2018

and the government. Ending discrimination against podiatry
affects you and your future directly!
Consistent monetary contributions to the APMAPAC are
critical. The more, the better, but any amount is meaningful. We
need funding, but we also want as many members as possible
to support the PAC in any amount. Train yourself to contribute
every year and to think of it as an investment in yourself, because that's exactly what it is.
APMA encourages members to use its eAdvocacy website
(www.apma.org/eAdvocacy) to contact members of Congress.
This process takes less than five minutes, and all of the information you need to know is provided on the eAdvocacy website. APMA also asks that you call your members of Congress.
Phone calls require more of a time commitment, but speaking
by phone with your members of Congress has a distinct impact
and is the initial step in developing the lasting relationships
essential for legislative success. Another call to action you will
hear from APMA is for you to arrange a face-to-face visit with
your members of Congress, either in your home district or on
Capitol Hill. These lobbying visits have the greatest impact and
are vital to building a meaningful relationship. Attending or
hosting a fundraiser for a candidate for Congress sets you apart
and provides direct access to share your concerns. If you want
to solidify your relationship, consider volunteering to help with
a campaign. Volunteering can involve as much or as little time
as you have available.
The final critical piece of this strategy is communication
with APMA's Legislative Advocacy department about your developing relationship with a member of Congress. Organizational knowledge of these local relationships is the key to unlocking the doors of legislative success.
You have so many competing priorities, especially as you
graduate or complete your residency, but these small investments of time and resources can have a big payout for the profession you have chosen. It only makes sense to position that
profession for future sustainability and growth. It is imperative
to keep your commitment to the profession through membership and a contribution of time and money to secure that commitment you made to yourself.
n
APMA Trustee and Legislative Committee Chair Patrick A.
DeHeer, DPM, can be reached at advocacy@apma.org.

http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy http://www.apma.org/services

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - May/June 2018