IF NOT YOU, THEN WHO?

BY MATT BRESLIN, J.D., Partner at Karoub Associates and FARAH JALLOUL, Pharm.D., MBA, director of professional development, MPA

The Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) consistently and continually works on your behalf at the state level and connects with national pharmacy associations on federal issues. MPA utilizes bipartisan grassroots efforts to elevate and amplify the voices and opinions of pharmacy practice. Without you, MPA could not successfully impact changes that allow pharmacy professionals to practice to the full potential of their licenses.

At the core of effective advocacy efforts are grassroot campaigns that build widespread support to shape the political dialogue. Grassroots lobbying is often the most impactful way to get involved in the legislative process because it starts at the constituent level. In other words, it begins with individuals that vote for their respective legislators.

Grassroots Efforts

Grassroots efforts utilize various strategies, from fundraising and registering voters to encouraging political conversation and lobbying an issue. Grassroots can be as simple as attending legislative coffee hours, calling a legislator’s office, writing a letter, or participating in organized functions set up by MPA. You can even invite your legislators to your pharmacy to learn more about your practice setting.

Why are grassroots efforts important?

Grassroots efforts allow constituents to establish relationships with elected officials. These relationships are vital because policymakers may not fully understand pharmacy's priorities. By providing information to the policymakers and being an advocate, you positively impact public health and legislation.

MPA encourages members to contribute by taking responsibility and action for their community and issues for the organization.

Reach out to your legislators with a few simple clicks

Start your advocacy efforts by regularly contacting your elected officials to educate them on pharmacy issues impacting you and your daily practice.

MPA has partnered with VoterVOICE to easily track health care-related bills throughout the legislature. You can find more information or sign up for alerts here: MichiganPharmacists. org/advocacy/advocacy-action-center/ mpaction/

MPA Advocacy Action Center

If you need or want to talk with your legislators, check out MPA’s recently-launched Advocacy Action Center on the MPA website. You can access information and take action on various issues that matter the most to you, your patients and your practice. Several issues are ready for you to act on now. Each issue page includes details on the legislation for you to review before you reach out to your elected official. It also has MPA's position and talking points.

The Advocacy User Profile section features individualized legislator contact information. This allows you to make a phone call in addition to emailing and/or printing a letter. Customizing your letter to tell your legislator how much you care about the issue is more effective.

MPA will continue to update the Advocacy Action Center with issues moving through Congress and the state legislature. Visit MichiganPharmacists.org/advocacy to get started.

Lobbying

While your role in grassroots advocacy is vital, MPA has a formal lobbying process to impact legislation and good public policy.

MPA has two lobbyists on staff, CEO Mark Glasper and Eric Roath, MPA’s new director of government affairs. Additionally, MPA contracts with Karoub Associates, Michigan's longest-serving multi-client lobbying firm. Matt Breslin facilitates communication between MPA, the legislature, executive departments and the governor’s office.

The lobbyist’s role is to influence legislative action — or non-action — through oral or written communication, or an attempt to obtain the goodwill of a member or employee of the Legislature.

Lobbying is at the core of the governmental process and protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution: "Congress shall make no law … (abridging) the right of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

With thousands of bills being introduced in a two-year session, effective lobbying at the grassroots level and through your professional organization is critical. Lobbying is also an essential lever for a productive government. Without it, governments would struggle to identify their citizens' competing interests. Fortunately, lobbying provides access to government legislators, acts as an educational tool and allows individual interests to gain power in numbers.

Fundraising

Certainly, no advocacy discussion would be complete without a nod to political action committee (PAC) fundraising. Campaign finance, also known as election finance or political donations, refers to the funds raised to promote candidates, political parties, or policy initiatives and referenda.

Fundraising activities can determine the future of pharmacy.

A strong fundraising effort can ensure adequate funds to support all legislative priorities. While some may see fundraising and advocacy in a negative light, it is a necessary step in the lobbying process. Grassroots advocacy, lobbying and fundraising work hand-in-hand to support the issues important to the pharmacy profession.

Make your PAC contributions today by scanning the QR code.

If not you, then who?

The profession of pharmacy is important to us, our patients and our communities. You are a vital link in the advocacy process that shapes the future of our profession. Get engaged and make your voice heard today! If you are looking for ways to get more involved, contact Eric Roath at eroath@MichiganPharmacists.org