Meet With Legislators During Spring Break
Date: 21-03-2013
[MMA News Now, March 21, 2013] MMA members have a great opportunity to help influence health care policy by speaking with their legislators during the Easter/Passover break.
Lawmakers will recess on March 22 to head back home to their districts through April 2. “This is always a good time to meet with them as they are not as busy as when they are at the Capitol,” said Dave Renner, MMA’s director of state and federal legislation. “Many legislators will be holding town hall events, and they’re eager to hear what constituents are thinking about the issues that are in play at the Capitol. It’s an excellent opportunity to influence the debate at the Capitol.”
At this point in the session, legislators are busy working on budgets. “We are greatly concerned with the recent budget proposals from the House and Senate that would cut more than $150 million from Health and Human Services,” Renner said. “Year after year health and human service programming - including physician reimbursement - has absorbed the majority of budget cuts. Cuts of this magnitude would pit the low income in need of health care against seniors and the disabled.”
Legislators will begin crafting the biennial budget in earnest upon their return to St. Paul in early April. The budget work must be completed by the constitutionally mandated conclusion of the session, which this year is May 20.
MMA staff is available to assist in setting up meetings with legislators, either at your clinic or local coffee shop or at the Capitol. For more information, contact Brian Strub at 612-362-3745.
|