ASA Legislative Conference

Joshua L. Lumbley, M.D.

mid-year reflection as the 2007-08 Lansdale Public Policy Fellow brings with it quite a variety of emotions. The past six months have been truly enlightening and oftentimes overwhelming, and I don’t think there is any way I can do justice to what I’ve learned and experienced over my brief time on Capitol Hill. My time spent as the health and education legislative assistant in the office of Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) has been an experience that has only further solidified my belief that involvement in the political process is a crucial step for all young physicians. For our patients, our specialty and, more broadly, our nation, I think it is something that all of us should feel comfortable in doing.

In October 2007, during my flight to the ASA Annual Meeting in San Francisco, I was reading a magazine that was running excerpts on the various candidates for president. I was struck by an article about then second-tier candidate Mike Huckabee. In the article, he described a one-hour meeting with the director of the Arkansas Department of Health in 1991. It was this meeting that had a profound impact on his later desire to enter politics. Governor Huckabee noted that at the conclusion of what had been a very pleasant meeting, he still felt that he carried a completely different ideology to that expressed by the director. At that point, he said to himself, “We need to get out of the stands and get on the field and get dirty.”

I feel that those words ring true to all of us, regardless of party affiliation. The act of becoming informed and involved in the political process is truly an invigorating experience. We, as residents, have a tremendous opportunity and a responsibility to positively impact the future of not only our field, but medicine in general. And, in my humble opinion, it all begins with a willingness to come out of the proverbial “stands.”

In my brief six months on the Hill, I have had the privilege of preparing for Committee on Energy and Commerce hearings; holding meetings with constituents, lobbyists and advocacy groups; and speech and legislation writing. I never dreamed that I would play such an integral role in the day-to-day activities in a congressional office. Prior to my experience as the Lansdale Fellow, I appreciated the importance in making political involvement a priority, but this year has only provided further affirmation that such involvement is truly important.

I would encourage all members to consider attendance at the 2008 ASA Legislative Conference in June to learn how to impact the three “Ps” of Capitol Hill: Politics, Policy and Procedure. This informative conference functions to educate attendees on the salient legislative goals of ASA. Similarly, there are seminars offered throughout the three-day event that help with effectively communicating your policy interests to legislative staff. Most importantly, the final day of the conference offers attendees an opportunity to meet representatives and/or members of the representative’s staff regarding ASA legislative goals.

It is worth noting that taking the time to meet with your member of Congress or senator is a very empowering experience. On a personal note, it has become clear that anyone can become involved in and contribute to the political process. More broadly, we become interested in the current events that impact legislative decisions that are exercised on Capitol Hill. Perhaps most importantly, the willingness to take time to establish a relationship with your representatives begins a sort of “ripple effect” for future interaction with the office.

During this election year, we must take an active role in the future decisions that will impact our patients, our specialty and our nation as a whole. Calling back to Governor Huckabee’s sport anecdote — we can do this by “getting out of the stands” — I encourage all residents and attending physicians alike to take the opportunity to attend the 2008 Legislative Conference from June 9 to 11 and learn the three Ps of the legislative process. We are all better served by having a more well-informed and integrated ASA.

Joshua L. Lumbley, M.D., is the 2007-08 ASA Lansdale Public Policy Fellow and CA-3 resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Teaching Affiliate, Boston.