APMA News - July/August 2022 - 24

federal advocacy forum
A Sure Key to Success
is a Simple " ASK "
By William S. Long, DPM, Chair, Legislative Committee
The 2022 election year is off and running.
Congressional redistricting has resulted in shifting
districts with incumbent upsets in many states. We
are all inundated with mailers, phone calls, emails,
social media posts, and texts from candidates seeking
our support.
As constituents, we hold significant bargaining
power through our votes. Before heading to the
voting booth for summer primary voting, keep an
open mind and do your research on the candidates
on your ballot. Do any candidates support
legislation that positively impacts your patients? Are
they supporters of our profession? If the answer to
both questions is yes, then the choice is clear.
For the past 17 years, APMA has diligently fought
for passage of the Helping Ensure Life- and LimbSaving
Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act
(HR 2972/S 2769). The name of the bill has changed
over the years, but the goal has not. Some have
argued that fighting to pass this specific piece of
legislation is futile and want to redirect our efforts.
I disagree, and here's why: Passage of the HELLPP
Act is a catalyst to correct multiple issues impacting
podiatric physicians and surgeons. It will accomplish
three important goals: 1) recognize podiatrists as
physicians under Medicaid; 2) clarify and improve
coordination of care in Medicare's Therapeutic Shoe
Program for Patients with Diabetes; and 3) strengthen
Medicaid program integrity.
When discussing the HELLPP Act or any legislation,
it is critical to ensure that your ASK is clear. Schedule
an appointment with your legislator. If they are unable
to meet with you, speak with their aide.
Another important avenue to show your support
for your chosen candidates is through financial
contributions to your legislators' campaigns. Most
candidates hold fundraisers, and attending these
events not only shows your support but also
affords you face time with them. Have your talking
points memorized so you are ready when the
moment presents itself and you're conversing with
your candidate. If you have more time available,
volunteering for a campaign enables you to become
part of the candidate's inner circle.
A wealth of information about priority issues
impacting the profession and our patients is
24
apmanews
JULY/AUGUST 2022
available at www.apma.org/FederalAdvocacy.
Another indispensable resource for reaching your
legislators is the APMA eAdvocacy website: www.
apma.org/eAdvocacy. APMA provides members
with pre-written letters that can be sent directly
to your legislators on your behalf, with just a few
clicks. APMA eAdvocacy is the most efficient way
for you to effect change through advocacy on a
regular basis.
Regardless of one's individual political affiliation,
the HELLPP Act is non-partisan and requires support
from both sides of the aisle to pass.
The time for action is now. If we ASK, we will advance
our beloved profession. Constantly keeping
the HELLPP Act in front of your legislators through
the tips shared above increases our chances of
them signing on to the bill. Passing this legislation
will require more support than we currently have.
APMA has achieved countless victories over the
years and continues to advance our profession.
The HELLPP Act will be another tally in our win
column.
On behalf of the APMA Legislative Committee, I
want to thank our members for their tireless efforts
to advance our profession.
In closing, my ASK to everyone reading this
article is that you join the fight to ensure the
successful passage of the HELLPP Act.
To learn more about why the HELLPP Act is
important and how it will affect you, visit www.
apma.org/saving.
http://www.apma.org/FederalAdvocacy http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy http://www.apma.org/saving http://www.apma.org/saving
APMA News - July/August 2022

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