Emerging Political Dimensions of HIV Care R. Scott Hitt, MD R. Scott Hitt
currently serves as the CEO of the American |
Journal TOC | ADAP Main Page |
T he Political SystemLiving in the United States, we participate in a democratic republic, meaning that we elect individuals to represent our best interests. Our representatives then report to local, state, and federal offices but remain intimately wedded to the interests of their constituents back home. Further, our representatives vote on issues (we hope) based on both their own wisdom and the wishes of their electorate. But our representatives can only know what their constituents want them to do, if they are told. Why Participate At the risk of sounding like your high school government teacher, participation in Democracy is not our right so much as it is our duty. We have a duty to voice our opinion—with our vote, our phone calls, our letters, and our questions. It is our responsibility as citizens. As medical providers, however, that duty is elevated—particularly if we can speak on behalf of historically disenfranchised communities, such as the poorest and the most discriminated of our patients. Regarding the current state of health care in America, medical providers are key stakeholders in how public policy is formed. Further, providers are a natural bridge between those for whom they vote and those for whom they care. Providers often understand the “macro” situation of public policy yet see its “micro” effects on a daily basis in the lives of individual patients. They can effectively communicate how legislation will affect their patient populations. Providers as the “Grass Roots” Providers themselves are a “grass-roots” community and
can be a powerful force when working Illustrating the Power of Collective Voice Individual Academy members continue to lobby for action
on a number of issues. Academy How to Learn The Academy is looking forward to more member-wide
campaigns next year, where the voice of the C onclusionsIt doesn’t take much time to make your voice be heard. To find out the contact information for your members of Congress, simply go to www.house.gov and www.senate.gov or contact the professional association where you are a member. Believe it or not, they respond more to us outside Washington than they do to those from within. It is our duty. |
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Emerging Political Dimensions of HIV Care |