APMA News - September/October 2019 - 32

Focusing on Homegrown Advocacy at the
2019 State Advocacy Forum

omponent leaders representing nearly 30 states discussed recent successes and shared useful strategies
with each other at the APMA Center for Professional
Advocacy's (CPA) biennial State Advocacy Forum, held August
16-17 in Milwaukee.
This year's theme was "Homegrown Advocacy." Attendees
heard from numerous panels as well as health-care attorneys,
policymakers, and lobbyists during the two-day event. Additionally, the forum included several small-group and open sessions to allow participants to share concerns and challenges, as
well as strategies for success.
The Wisconsin Podiatric Medical Association (WPMA) was
chosen to host the event in part because of its recent legislative
success in expanding the state scope of practice to allow podiatrists to supervise nurse practitioners and physician assistants. At the start of the forum, WPMA presented a case study
highlighting the tactics that led to its success. The presenting
panel included Wisconsin State Rep. Dave Murphy, who served
as the primary sponsor of the bill.
During the presentation, panelists discussed the importance
of establishing and maintaining strong relationships that can be
leveraged when needed. "This win came from many, many years
of work. We knew we had the right relationships, so we had
political strength when we started this effort," said Steve Conway, WPMA lobbyist.
Forum attendees gleaned more keen insights into working
with legislators through a presentation by former Wisconsin State Senator Joe Leibham, currently director of Public
Affairs for Foley & Lardner, LLP. Drawing from his more than
15 years of experience in elected office, he shared with
attendees the various ways to make deeper connections with
their legislators. His tips included sending handwritten
notes, requesting to be added to an email list, inviting your

legislator to local events, and sharing pictures while telling
your story.
"You are your best advocate," he said. "The local voice matters, and do not underestimate the importance of even small
contributions."
An additional presentation from Holden Brooks, Esq., focused on state antitrust and restraint-of-trade laws. She provided an overview of what antitrust means and what the current
state of antitrust action in states has been with respect to hospital privileging and credentialing. The presentation included
physician exclusion from payer networks and antitrust risk
management concerns for physicians, highlighting price fixing,
bid rigging, marketing agreements, market allocation, and employer-side agreements. Brooks also recommended avoiding any
conduct that, while short of an agreement, may give rise to an
allegation that there was an agreement (e.g., discussing benefits,
reimbursement rates, or forward-looking strategy).
Other presentations included advice for creating and nurturing a grassroots advocacy culture in your state component,
specific examples of advocacy wins from several states, and
updates from CPA Innovation Grant recipients. Grantee activities have ranged from creating an educational video to supporting in-person visits to the state capitol.
There were several common themes over the course of the
weekend, including the importance of building relationships
with legislators and other medical organizations, the necessity
of broad involvement from local constituents, and the value of
creativity and persistence in homegrown advocacy efforts.
Materials from the meeting are posted at www.apma.org/
stateadvocacyforum. If you haven't already, expect to hear
from your state leaders soon to learn their takeaways from
the weekend. For more state advocacy resources, visit www.
apma.org/cpa.
n

Wisconsin State Representative Dave Murphy (R), left, and members of
the Wisconsin Podiatric Medical Association talked about their recent legislative success allowing podiatrists in the state to supervise nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Forum attendees spent time in small groups discussing their own challenges and sharing ideas that have led to local wins.

32 APMA News September/October 2019

http://www.apma.org/stateadvocacyforum http://www.apma.org/stateadvocacyforum http://www.apma.org/cpa http://www.apma.org/cpa

APMA News - September/October 2019

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