Making it easy....
How do you talk to your neighbor? Your doctor? Your insurance agent? A Business owner? What do you tell your patients when they ask you about physical therapy?
Your legislators ARE your neighbors, your health care providers, your insurance agents, business owners, and patients in your neighborhood. They are regular people, like yourself, who have chosen to pursue the interest of the State and the community (including YOU!) by serving as an elected official of the State of Colorado.
Who knows the most about physical therapy? You do! Legislators are busy people. They cannot and do not know all there is to know about specific issues; they only know what our lobbyists have told them, what those who oppose a bill have told them, and most importantly--what YOU, their constituent, have told them.
What if I can't answer a question they ask? Always be honest. Legislators don't expect that you will have all the answers. You should say something like: "I don't know the answer to that question, but I will check it out and get back to you on that." Then, contact the Chapter Office, ask a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee or the Sunset Task Force, or one of our lobbyists to get the answer. Always call back with the information.
What are the issues and how can I keep informed? Read the broadcast FAXs and emails that are sent out. Contact the Governmental Affairs Committee members, Sunset Task Force members or Colorado Chapter APTA office.
Don't we have the Governmental Affairs Committee, Sunset Task Force, and paid Lobbyists to do this for us? Yes, but only about 15 people are involved at this level. They cannot possibly do all that needs to be done, nor should you abdicate this responsibility to them. Remember, YOU are the legislator's CONSTITUENT. Think about the impact you have: YOU are the individual who casts the vote for this legislator, not the lobbyist, not the task force member. YOU have the IMPACT that someone who doesn't live in this legislator's district will never have.
Why is this so hard for PTs and PTAs? Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are not taught to self-promote like individuals in other professions who receive training in marketing as part of their professional program. Additionally, traits that make good PTs and good PTAs, like listening skills and caring, aren't aimed at self-promotion. We know that this can be difficult, but once you try it, you'll find it gets easier each time you meet with your legislator.
It is very important to 'push the envelope'; go beyond our individual fears and promote the practice and profession of physical therapy!
We need YOU to GET INVOLVED! YOU are the "WE" everyone talks about when they say, "WE need to......"