Highlights from the AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Summit

It was my pleasure representing you and NAPA in Washington DC last week at the AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Summit (LAS).

I met with staffers at all three congressional offices to discuss PA-priority legislation and also talked about the need to modernize Nevada's PA practice act to ensure PAs can provide high-quality care without restrive regulation.

Brian S. Lauf, DMSc, PA-C, NAPA Board of Directors/Cheif Delegate - AAPA House of Delegates

A message from AAPA President

It’s also a busy time in the advocacy world, as we approach the last few months of the 117th United States Congress and state policymakers start gearing up for the spring legislative season. Last week, we wrapped up the 2022 Leadership and Advocacy Summit (LAS), an event that prepares PAs and PA students to advocate on behalf of the profession.

 

I’m excited that among our more than 220 conference participants representing 48 Constituent Organizations, we had a record number of first-time LAS attendees! And we collectively participated in almost 170 separate meetings with legislators and staff when PAs and PA students gathered on Capitol Hill to advocate for PA-priority legislation. This legislation has the potential to directly impact PA practice: the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 6087) and the Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act (H.R. 1956/S.1986). While on the Hill, PAs and PA students shared patient stories with lawmakers and demonstrated the value that PAs provide to our healthcare system.

 

During LAS, attendees heard presentations from expert speakers like Daniel E. Smith, President of AdvocacySmiths, Inc. Smith shared advice and expertise on the best ways to build successful advocacy campaigns, including the importance of messaging, strategy, relationship building, and persistence. In another session, Marvin B. Figueroa, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), spoke about healthcare priorities at HHS, including President Biden’s initiative on mental health.

 

If you missed LAS last week, be sure to join us next year. Anyone can be an advocate for our profession and attending LAS will help you better understand the issues our profession faces – and what you can do to effect change.

Jennifer M. Orozco, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

President and Chair, Board of Directors