Electronic Winter 2023 | Issue 57

APA’s Federal Advocacy Conference

By Kimberly Meyer, MD

The 2023 annual APA Federal Advocacy Conference was held in Washington, D.C. from October 16th until the 17th. Our colleagues from various regions gathered to be a part of this momentous event.

The conference began with a day filled with inspiring speeches, opening remarks from Saul Levin, MD, MPA, CEO and Medical Director of APA and Craig Obey, JD about what to expect from this extraordinary experience. This was followed by an introduction from Katherine Kennedy, MD, introducing Senator Chris Murphy.

Laura Willing, MD, facilitated a Senate and House Representative Staff panel, which allowed us insight of what to expect when interacting with the Congressional Staffers. This was a reminder of the value of our ongoing relationships with the federal legislators and their staff.

The second half of the day included additional information and mock presentations, preparing the brief presentations on the legislative agenda for the 118th Congress, the policies that will positively impact the delivery of care/will decrease the existing barriers:

  • The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act-(H.R.2474)

  • The Moms Matter Act (H.R.3312/S.1602)

  • Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorizations Act (H.R.3838/S.2415)

  • The REDI (Resident Education Deferred Interest) Act (H.R. 1202/S.704)

  • The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Program Act (H.R.4933/S.462)

  • The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R.2389/S.1302)

  • The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (H.R.4942/S.665)

  • The COMPLETE Care Act H.R.5819/S.1378).

The first day ended with a dinner and remarks from the illustrious Ramaswamy Viswanathan, MD, President-Elect of APA and Representative Jamie Raskin.

The second day began with breakfast and a final rehearsal of the presentations before heading on to Capitol Hill while wearing our white coats, a reminder of our role as Physicians as well as Psychiatrists.

Then the real experience began.

I had the pleasure of working with Karen Pierce, MD and Sudkakar Shenoy, MD. They were very generous with their time and patience, understanding this was my first experience. The walk to the Capital was so invigorating, understanding we were about to embark upon life changing interactions. We held the torch for that moment in time.

We had a total of five meetings. We were granted thirty minutes to discuss the above legislations with each Staffer:

  • Representative Robin Kelly, PhD - Staffer-Ebony Caldwell, MD

  • Representative Danny Davis - Staffer Caleb L. Gilchrist, PhD

  • Representative Mike Quigley - Staffer-Kody Keckler

  • Senator Dick Durbin - Staffer Robert Spivey

  • Senator Tammy Ducksworth - Staffer Toya Kelley, MD

The Staffers were welcoming and receptive to our presentations. 

The day ended with a gathering, reviewing the importance of continued support of the policies that will make the difference in the lives of our patients as well as the ability to increase the delivery of quality care.

I am so grateful to have had this eye-opening experience. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience and understand the importance of becoming involved in the policy aspect of medical care.

If we don’t define it for ourselves - someone else will define it for us.