Political Advocacy and You

Brian Caswell, R.Ph.Wolkar Drug, Baxter Springs, KS

NCPA 2nd Vice President

October 8, 2011

NCPA Annual Meeting

Nashville, TN

Political Advocacy and You

“ All Politics is Local”

- Tip O’Neill, 55th Speaker

U.S. House of Representatives

(1977-1987)

Political Advocacy and You

“Get Into Politics or Get Out of Pharmacy”

- NCPA motto

Political Advocacy and You

The Five W’s of a Grassroots ProgramWho?

• The Grassroots Program is YOU

What?• Work with NCPA, State Assoc., Local Pharmacy groups

Where?• Communicate with Members of Congress and State

Legislators (Meet, phone calls, E-Mails, etc.)

When?• Long Term – Building Relationships• Short Term – Call to Alert

Why?• Profession – Becoming an Advocate• Business – Protect Your Investment and Ensure Patient

Access

Becoming Involved

It’s all about ACCESS Access refers to the ability to get an appointment with

legislators or their staffs. You are a local constituent who represents an important

healthcare sector When federal and state legislators are in Washington and your

state capital, call or e-mail them Become a recognized subject-matter “expert” and establish a

mutually beneficial relationship as a valuable information resource on complex health care issues

Develop a professional, working relationship with your legislators

Strive to become recognized when you meet – First name basis That’s ACCESS

Becoming Involved

The Art of Persuasion Heavy handed tactics never work Become an Educator, facilitator, coalition builder

and policy advocate You must win trust to build a relationship

Know how the formal legislative process works Recognize that many things are accomplished behind the

scenes Understand the policies you are promoting and state them

clearly while being brief and to the point Understand the political implications of what you request Know the players - the individual legislators and staff

Becoming Involved

• Opportunities for involvement• Join NCPA

• NCPA-PAC

• NCPA-LDF

• Join State Pharmacy Association• Get involved with Governmental Affairs

Becoming Involved

Opportunities for involvement Give to individual campaigns Host a “coffee” with other pharmacists to meet the

candidate Bring forward other potential contributors Help directly with fundraising Attend or even sponsor fundraisers in your

community

Becoming InvolvedHelp in the campaign office

Stuff envelopesWalk neighborhoods door to doorMake Phone calls

Gain recognition as a leader who “makes things happen”

Becoming Involved

• Tools to enhance your advocacy• Join NCPA• Read and study NCPA correspondence• Monitor NCPA website

• www.ncpanet.org

• Attend NCPA Legislative Conference• May ??, 2012 – Washington, DC

• Meet, Learn, Succeed

Becoming Involved

• Example of Grassroots Lobbying Victories– AMP

– First DataBank

– CVS/Caremark

– Tricare/ Mandatory Mail Order

Homework Assignment

What rate limiting factor is common between the major sporting events?

(Baseball, Football, and Basketball)

Homework Assignment

Answer –

A Referee

Homework Assignment

R -

E -

F -

Homework Assignment

R – Register to Vote

E - Engage

F - Fun

Thank You…

Questions????