legislative visits catherine thomasson, md. why lobby? influence specific legislation. provide...
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![Page 1: LEGISLATIVE VISITS Catherine Thomasson, MD. Why Lobby? Influence specific legislation. Provide in-depth information on your issue. Convey the views of](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022051215/56649ec55503460f94bd0292/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
LEGISLATIVE VISITS
Catherine Thomasson, MD
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Why Lobby?
Influence specific legislation.Provide in-depth information on your issue.Convey the views of many constituents.Learn about what is happening with your
issue in this Congress.
Build a relationship with your legislator.
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Why HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS have a responsibility to lobby
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Problem: Burning coal and other dirty fossil fuels is polluting our air and our water, and dangerously destabilizing our climate. Air pollution and climate change are harming our health now – through asthma, lung and heart disease, heat waves, violent storms, wildfires, and infectious diseases. It will worsen if we don’t take effective steps to protect ourselves.
So what? Anyone and everyone’s health can be harmed by climate change. But the people whose health is likely to be hurt first, and worst, are our nation’s infants and children, older adults, people who already have a chronic health condition, people who work outdoors, and the poorest Americans.
Benefits? The sooner we take steps to protect ourselves, the sooner every U.S. family, community and business will benefit from cleaner air & water, better health, lower health care costs, and stronger communities. Clean Energy and energy efficiency creates more jobs than coal.A useful way to think about it: What’s good for our climate is good for our health, and what’s good for our health is good for our climate.
Solutions? We need to fully implement America’s Clean Power Plan. Doing so will reduce heat trapping gases and help limit climate change. It will also create immediate health benefits for everyone by reducing soot- and smog-causing pollution.The Clean Power Plan has done a good job in protecting the air we breathe. We need to support the Ozone Rule and the CPP to protect our health. Protecting ourselves from the health effects of climate change is the right thing to do – and the smart thing to do.
Issue: Implementing the Clean Air Act & Clean Power Plan will protect our health
More than 97% of climate scientists have concluded that human-caused climate change is happening, and research has proven that it is already harming the health of many of us. As a health professional, I have a duty to protect people from further harm by taking steps to address climate change.
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What do you need to do to get ready?
Know your Congressperson
Be well informed about your subject
Formulate a focused ‘ask’
Senator Kirsten GillibrandD- NY
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Know a Legislator: Govtrack
www.climat
www.govtrack.us
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Know a Legislator: Govtrack
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Better Know a Legislator: Govtrack
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Better Know a Legislator: LCV
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Better Know a Legislator: LCV
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Know the issue and the bills
Go to Congress.gov Look up the Ratepayer Protection Act (HR 2042) passed
the House 6/25/15. There is no current Senate bill It would block EPA from enforcing the CPP until all court
actions are final This type of bill is helpful to know how people voted
before you visit your legislator.
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Prepare for the meeting
Review congressional websites-especially the sponsors
Know your legislator’s voting record on this issue
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Senate Bill 2074
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Tracking the Bill
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3 Types of “Ask’s”
1 – Co-sponsor or support a bill/resolution2 – Sign onto a letter3 – Speak to an issue (on floor, in committee, at an event, op-ed)
0r….
4 – Develop a relationship with a staffer
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The CPP ask based on legislator position
Moderate Ask: Would you be willing to put out a statement acknowledging the impacts of climate change on public health?
Conservative Ask: We understand that we may disagree on the mechanisms to reduce carbon pollution. We ask that you not co-sponsor legislation that would block the Clean Power Plan.
Champion Asks: Would you be willing to host a briefing on climate and health with health professionals?
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The Ozone ask based on legislator position
Champs: Issue a supportive statement when EPA announces its final ozone standard, as long as it’s in the range EPA proposed (60-70 ppb)
Swings or Moderates: Oppose any legislative attempts to block, weaken, or delay Clean Air Act protections, including a more protective ozone standard
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Organize your Meeting
Assign roles-choose a leaderWhat questions to ask the staff?
What is their Position on Ozone Rule? Do they support the CPP for their state?
Organize your information Health impacts of burning fossil fuels Health impacts of climate change Review the CPP benefits to public health
Determine who makes the askAssign a note-takerPRACTICE
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Problem: Burning coal and other dirty fossil fuels is polluting our air and our water, and dangerously destabilizing our climate. Air pollution and climate change are harming our health now – through asthma, lung and heart disease, heat waves, violent storms, wildfires, and infectious diseases. It will worsen if we don’t take effective steps to protect ourselves.
So what? Anyone and everyone’s health can be harmed by climate change. But the people whose health is likely to be hurt first, and worst, are our nation’s infants and children, older adults, people who already have a chronic health condition, people who work outdoors, and the poorest Americans.
Benefits? The sooner we take steps to protect ourselves, the sooner every U.S. family, community and business will benefit from cleaner air & water, better health, lower health care costs, and stronger communities. Clean Energy and energy efficiency creates more jobs than coal.A useful way to think about it: What’s good for our climate is good for our health, and what’s good for our health is good for our climate.
Solutions? We need to fully implement America’s Clean Power Plan. Doing so will reduce heat trapping gases and help limit climate change. It will also create immediate health benefits for everyone by reducing soot- and smog-causing pollution.The Clean Power Plan has done a good job in protecting the air we breathe. We need to support the Ozone Rule and the CPP to protect our health. Protecting ourselves from the health effects of climate change is the right thing to do – and the smart thing to do.
Issue: Implementing the Clean Power
Plan will protect our health
More than 97% of climate scientists have
concluded that human-caused climate change is happening,
and research has proven that it is
already harming the health of many of us.
As a health professional, I have a duty to protect people from further harm by
taking steps to address climate
change.
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At the Meeting
Arrive earlyIntroductionsStart out positive, make a connection,
provide a thanksFind out how much your staffer is familiar
with the issue or their position on your request (50/50 rule)
Treat them with respect (whether you agree with them or not), follow structure, and say “thank you”
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After the Meeting
Leave a business card and your information (max 1 page)
Follow up with a thank you email, include your ask (staffer will then save you as a contact)
“Circle back” the next week or so with a phone call to follow up on action ask
Always leave with some sign of support• “We want to be a resource for you”
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“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with
their own government.”
-Thomas Jefferson