Practical Politics is a series of columns on how to apply the art of politics to the healthcare area. The columns, written by firm CEO David Jarrard, were originally published by HealthLeaders Media.
Storming The Hill
By David Jarrard | Download the PDF
State lawmakers are gathering at their respective capitols this month as they prepare to do the work for which they ran campaigns, chased money, ate much bad chicken and were, finally, elected.
You want them to represent you well – to promote your interests when it counts and to protect your interests as necessary. You want them to judiciously and knowledgably represent you and your healthcare organization.
Many of them just want to survive.
After all, in the next few months hundreds of pieces of proposed legislation will fly past them on their way to committees, caucuses, floor votes and into law. They will be pressured to support this or oppose that by lobbyists, their political party, the opposing political party, the media, voters, campaign contributors, and by brethren lawmakers.
They will be crunched by the calendar, by the drive to the state capitol, by their need to make a living and by family members who would like to see a little more of them at home, thank you very much.
And in the middle of this chaos, they must represent you and the interests of your healthcare organization – along with the thousands of other citizens in your district.
No two lawmakers are alike. Some seek controversy, other prefer anonymity. Some have grander goals, others are just happy to serve. Some can be approached with logic and reason, others respond to emotion.
Still, the overwhelming majority wants to do the right thing.
The problem for legislators is that at any one time on any number of issues, huge numbers of their constituents may disagree on just what exactly the right thing is.
To represent you in an informed and prudent manner, your state lawmakers are going to need some help. For your sake, you better help them. Some tips:
Lawmakers cannot represent you if they don’t know you.
Make no assumptions about what your state representatives know about you, your healthcare organization or what’s important (or detrimental) to achieving your goals.
Make sure they know about your organization, its fit in the broader healthcare industry, and its impact in their district – that’s jobs, taxes, payroll and voters. Say it to them personally and be sure they have something on paper that says it again. A handshake at a fundraising reception won’t cut it.
Tell them your story simply and repeatedly – not because they cannot understand it the first time, but because you are one of 1,000 crowding for their attention.
