
2 minute read
What Is an Action Alert?
By Daniel Miller, DDS Grand Rapids WMDDS Editor
The Bulletin has printed the QR code for Action Alerts in recent issues. But what exactly is an Action Alert, and why should a member care? Simply put, the Action Alert is the fastest way for members to take control of their profession and advocate for dental health and dentistry. MDA staff work daily to keep an a pulse on legislation that affects dentistry. When an issue rises that requires action, the MDA staff sends out an Action Alert. The alerts are needed because these important issues require more than just the words of our skilled MDA staff. The legislators need to hear from their constituents, and the Action Alert gives dentists that opportunity.
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A legislator’s job is to act on behalf of their constituents. However, before they act, they must first hear from their constituents. Legislators respond to volume. One person sending an email is not as compelling as their office being flooded by hundreds or thousands of emails on an issue. When MDA staff goes into a meeting with a legislator, it is most impactful if the legislator has already been flooded with dentist emails on the issue. The MDA has 5,996 members, which would make for a very impactful meeting if everyone responded.
An Action Alert allows dentists to speak directly to their representatives. The MDA staff creates a email complete with all the important talking points. With a few clicks, that email will be sent on behalf of the dentist to all the appropriate representatives. This process does not require dentists to know who their state representatives are. The system automatically fills in the appropriate representatives’ names and contact information based on the dentist’s address. Signing up for Action Alerts takes just a minute. The dentist simply enters their name and address and the system does the rest. No passwords or login are required. The system will send the dentist an alert whenever the MDA has important legislation news to share. Signing up alone is not enough. The dentist must respond when the alerts come. Earlier this year, after the Michigan state budget proposal included increased dental funding, a total of 20,149 email and text Action Alerts were sent about the Medicaid budget proposal. In the end, only 459 users of any type took action and 37 users unsubscribed from the alerts. MDA members report frequently that advocacy and reimbursement are top priorities. The state budget process was the largest opportunity to improve Medicaid, including the Healthy Michigan Plan dental coverage for procedures and reimbursement. Even though the Action Alert response rate was lower than hoped, funding was ultimately added to the Michigan budget.
Member involvement with Action Alerts is paramount to the future of the profession, so sign up today.