November 2019—There is a saying about Washington that applies to our state capitals as well: If you are not at the table, you are on the table. I want to spend this column considering some of the ways in which the CAP helps its members get off the plate and pick up a fork. In other words, to become engaged politically.
Some pathologists are reluctant to become active in this area because “politics” often calls to mind the divisive battles playing out between Democrats and Republicans. It is important to understand that the CAP is agnostic as to party and political views. The CAP wants to make sure that elected officials and regulators, whatever their party or view, understand the importance and value of the vital service we provide to patients.
I have been politically active for some time, but working with the CAP taught me how to be more effectively engaged. As chair of the Council on Government and Professional Affairs, I helped CAP members accomplish the same. Based on what I have experienced in my interactions with legislators and regulators, I can say this for sure: No matter what your practice setting, you must be involved. The regulatory environment in which we all practice is defined by federal and state governments.
Taking the first step isn’t as hard as you might think. The CAP runs a grassroots advocacy network known as PathNET that helps members connect with their state and federal elected officials. This is a low-commitment way to get engaged; it allows you to be active through written communications, such as emails or social media posts directed to your representatives or by commenting on proposed legislation.
If you wonder how much impact sending an email or making a comment might have, let me share an example or two. Right now the CAP is working with members to encourage comments on proposed legislation in the House of Representatives and Senate that aims to prevent surprise medical bills. In recent months, more than 1,500 CAP members have sent more than 12,000 messages to their congressional representatives to advocate for the CAP’s position on the legislation. This bill matters a great deal to us and our patients. As physicians who understand better than most how out-of-network medical billing affects patient care, it is our responsibility to stand up and make our voices heard.
In the past, CAP fellows have advocated on issues such as local coverage determinations for Medicare and electronic health record guidelines that could have penalized pathologists financially. In both cases, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services responded to this feedback and adjusted its policies in ways that are positive for pathologists and our patients.
Another simple means of getting more engaged politically is to become a supporter of PathPAC, the political action committee started by the CAP in 1992. It is the only federal PAC focused entirely on representing the views of pathologists. It is an effective way for our community to come together and influence public health care policy. PathPAC is apolitical; it supports members of both parties who champion our views about health care.
I encourage CAP members who are looking to get more deeply involved in advocacy to participate in our annual Pathologists Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Next year it will take place May 2–5. This event teaches skills that are critical not only for advocacy within government but also for local advocacy with hospital administrators. After hands-on training about how to communicate effectively with elected officials, attendees spend a day on Capitol Hill visiting their elected officials and weighing in on health care policy.
The idea of speaking with a legislator can be intimidating, but the CAP offers ample education to ensure that members have the tools they need to deliver their message in an effective manner. CAP fellows and residents who take part in Hill Day have the opportunity to begin building positive relationships with their members of Congress. In some cases, pathologists can become go-to resources when those representatives have questions about proposed health care policies.
When you boil it down to basics, advocacy is about building relationships. CAP fellows who have become engaged politically have had opportunities to give laboratory tours to elected officials, which provide an eye-opening view of how our labs and health care facilities operate, and to sit on health care advisory councils for their representatives, offering valuable advice from the pathologist’s perspective.
Before I sign off, I’d like to thank Charles Fiegl, CAP director of advocacy communications, and Jon Myles, MD, chair of our Council on Government and Professional Affairs. These colleagues were kind enough to help me crystallize my thoughts about political engagement through the CAP and share their own examples of how becoming active made a difference.
I urge you to take advantage of these CAP resources and make your voice heard.
Dr. Godbey welcomes communication from CAP members. Write to him at president@cap.org.