Download - Political Advocacy and You
Political Advocacy and You
Brian Caswell, R.Ph.Wolkar Drug, Baxter Springs, KS
NCPA 2nd Vice President
October 8, 2011
NCPA Annual Meeting
Nashville, TN
Political Advocacy and You
“ All Politics is Local”
- Tip O’Neill, 55th Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
(1977-1987)
Political Advocacy and You
“Get Into Politics or Get Out of Pharmacy”
- NCPA motto
Political Advocacy and You
The Five W’s of a Grassroots ProgramWho?
• The Grassroots Program is YOU
What?• Work with NCPA, State Assoc., Local Pharmacy groups
Where?• Communicate with Members of Congress and State
Legislators (Meet, phone calls, E-Mails, etc.)
When?• Long Term – Building Relationships• Short Term – Call to Alert
Why?• Profession – Becoming an Advocate• Business – Protect Your Investment and Ensure Patient
Access
Becoming Involved
It’s all about ACCESS Access refers to the ability to get an appointment with
legislators or their staffs. You are a local constituent who represents an important
healthcare sector When federal and state legislators are in Washington and your
state capital, call or e-mail them Become a recognized subject-matter “expert” and establish a
mutually beneficial relationship as a valuable information resource on complex health care issues
Develop a professional, working relationship with your legislators
Strive to become recognized when you meet – First name basis That’s ACCESS
Becoming Involved
The Art of Persuasion Heavy handed tactics never work Become an Educator, facilitator, coalition builder
and policy advocate You must win trust to build a relationship
Know how the formal legislative process works Recognize that many things are accomplished behind the
scenes Understand the policies you are promoting and state them
clearly while being brief and to the point Understand the political implications of what you request Know the players - the individual legislators and staff
Becoming Involved
• Opportunities for involvement• Join NCPA
• NCPA-PAC
• NCPA-LDF
• Join State Pharmacy Association• Get involved with Governmental Affairs
Becoming Involved
Opportunities for involvement Give to individual campaigns Host a “coffee” with other pharmacists to meet the
candidate Bring forward other potential contributors Help directly with fundraising Attend or even sponsor fundraisers in your
community
Becoming InvolvedHelp in the campaign office
Stuff envelopesWalk neighborhoods door to doorMake Phone calls
Gain recognition as a leader who “makes things happen”
Becoming Involved
• Tools to enhance your advocacy• Join NCPA• Read and study NCPA correspondence• Monitor NCPA website
• www.ncpanet.org
• Attend NCPA Legislative Conference• May ??, 2012 – Washington, DC
• Meet, Learn, Succeed
Becoming Involved
• Example of Grassroots Lobbying Victories– AMP
– First DataBank
– CVS/Caremark
– Tricare/ Mandatory Mail Order
Homework Assignment
What rate limiting factor is common between the major sporting events?
(Baseball, Football, and Basketball)
Homework Assignment
Answer –
A Referee
Homework Assignment
R -
E -
F -
Homework Assignment
R – Register to Vote
E - Engage
F - Fun
Thank You…
Questions????