Central Nova News

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are slated to head home to their districts and states starting July 29. The start of the traditional summer recess comes after, what both parties will tell you, was a tumultuous session. Nonetheless, in August, members will hold town hall forums, listening sessions and other public events, some in a virtual setting, most live, geared toward gauging constituent views and interests.

Doctors of chiropractic are especially encouraged to seek out their federal legislators at these virtual or public town hall meetings because they are a great way to begin establishing a relationship, or strengthening an existing one, with your lawmaker’s office. Typically, the legislator will make some remarks about what is happening on Capitol Hill and specifically about what they have accomplished or are working on. In addition, there is usually time set aside for questions and answers.

If you’ve never attended a town hall meeting before—or even if you’re a seasoned pro—it might feel a bit intimidating. Here are several tips to help you navigate the political town halls:

• With the introduction of H.R. 2654, the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, and a Senate companion bill, S. 4042 earlier this year, please focus on attending an in-person or virtual town hall meeting with your member of the House of Representatives and senators. Please use our prepared talking points and ask your representative to cosponsor H.R. 2654 and your senator to cosponsor S. 4042. Simply put, the more cosponsors we have, the better the likelihood of our success.
• If you’re representative is already a cosponsor, thanking them for their support is a good gesture. Use the same approach with your senators if they are already a cosponsor.
• Get to (or sign-on to) the in-person meeting early. In-person, town hall meetings or those using Zoom or some other virtual platform, are often very crowded, and you do not want to disturb the meeting after it has started. Also, you may have a better opportunity to ask your question and speak with your member of Congress after the event if you arrive to the virtual meeting early.
• Be polite and professional even if your representative or other town hall attendees disagree with your position. Stick to the facts, even if others don’t.
• Follow up with the representative of senators and his/her staff. Call or e-mail the office after the town hall meeting to offer additional resources or ask follow-up questions about the issues that were discussed.
• Above all, be visible. Let your legislators know that doctors of chiropractic and the services they provide are an important part of the healthcare delivery system in your community.

Find Where Your Representatives and Senators Will Be:

• U.S. House of Representatives member locater: http://www.house.gov/representatives/
• U.S. Senate member locater: https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact

IMPORTANT: Once on your representative or senator’s webpage, sign up for email updates. This is often the best way to find out when virtual town hall meetings are taking place and how to participate.

• Town Hall Project (a national listing of congressional town halls, albeit limited): https://townhallproject.com/
• Many offices release their recess schedule through their webpage, Facebook (see individual congressional website) or on Twitter, by going to http://www.tweetcongress.org/tweeters. Your local newspaper may also list virtual town hall schedules. Check your legislator’s webpage, linked above, for the most up-to- date schedule and information.

Information You Need to Have for a Successful Meeting

Talking Points on H.R. 2654 and S. 4042 (for your personal use)

Issue Brief on H.R. 2654 and S. 4042 (can be distributed to House or Senate members)

Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic for Medicare Beneficiaries

Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act Home Page

IMPORTANT: If you can’t attend one of the public events, reach out to your representative’s and senators’ district office staff and request an in-person or virtual meeting. Again, representatives and senators are much more accessible during the summer recess than at any other time of the year. Please let ACA staff know, using the email address below, if you talk to your representative about H.R. 2654 or your senators about S. 4042 at a public forum or at their local office this summer. A detailed “how to” primer on setting up a congressional visit in your area can be found here.

Original source can be found here