APMA News - March/April 2020 - 39

Federal Advocacy Forum
By Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM

The Secret Weapon: Our Students
Grassroots activism is our most powerful tool for achieving
our legislative priorities. The energy and enthusiasm of student grassroots activism resonates even more powerfully with
legislators. APMA and the American Podiatric Medical Students' Association (APMSA) are partnering to engage students
in the legislative process and harness the power of their inﬂuence for a student advocacy day coming later this spring (date
to be announced).
This year's student advocacy day will focus on the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (REDI Act, HR 1554)
and the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to
Podiatric Physicians Act (HELLPP Act, HR 2235). APMA's
student members will be encouraged to partner with their
allopathic and osteopathic medical student colleagues to

It is our hope that this combined
effort of APMA and APMSA will
instill in our podiatric medical
students a habit of political
activism that will carry forward
throughout their career.
communicate with legislators regarding the critical importance of the REDI Act to allow interest-free deferment on
loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program if the borrowers are serving in medical or dental internships or residency programs.
Podiatric medical students, led by their college's APMSA
representative, will contact their members of Congress via
email and social media requesting cosponsorship and support of both bills. It is our hope that this combined effort of
APMA and APMSA will instill in our podiatric medical students a habit of political activism that will carry forward
throughout their career. Legislative and regulatory calls to
action will always exist; having a responsive membership is
vital for protecting and promoting the future of the profession. Establishing these habits early will yield yet-to-be-realized benefits for the profession.
I hope all podiatric medical students and young podiatric
physicians appreciate the importance of political activism on
behalf of the profession. Even if you have political or philosophical differences with a particular member of Congress,

you can still engage with your elected official on behalf of the
profession as you respond to APMA's calls to action. Protecting and advancing the profession in which you have invested
substantial time, money, and effort seems obvious. In such a
small profession, we all need to take responsibility and do
our part!
On that note, every member should be inspired by the plans
for student advocacy day. Take the time to contact your members of Congress by using the prewritten messages on APMA's
eAdvocacy website (www.apma.org/eAdvocacy). Be sure to
share your participation on social media to engage your
friends, family, and colleagues to support podiatric medicine
and surgery.
n
APMA Trustee and Legislative Committee Chair Patrick A.
DeHeer, DPM, can be reached at advocacy@apma.org.

Joining APHA
Is A Wise Investment In Your Future
And The Future Of Worldwide Health
The American Public Health Association (APHA)
is the oldest and most diverse organization
of public health professionals in the
world and has been working
to improve public health
since 1872. APHA and its
state affiliates represent
more than 50,000 health
professionals and others
who work to promote
health, prevent disease,
and ensure conditions
in which we all
can be safe
and healthy.

Join The Podiatry Section Today at
www.apha.org/about/membership/

APMA News March/April 2020

http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy http://www.apha.org/about/membership/

APMA News - March/April 2020

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