MMA Advocacy Toolkit

Physicians are advocates for patients every day.  But to affect broad change, physicians will need to take advocacy from the exam room to the hearing room.  Below you’ll find tools to become an effective advocate for your profession and your patients.

Step 1: Know the Issues

The MMA supports physicians and patients through advocacy on crucial issues affecting the health of Minnesotans and the practice of medicine. The first step to be an effective advocate is to know your issue. Thousands of bills are introduced in the Minnesota Legislature, and even more in the US Congress.  

• Our current advocacy priorities are:
  • Opioid Crisis
  • Tobacco 21
  • Prescribing Burdens/Prior Authorization
  • Health Equity
  • 2019 Legislative Session Review

Step 2: Influence the Debate

From calling your legislator to to testifying in front of City Hall to hosting your elected officials for a visit at your clinic to electing physician-friendly candidates for the Legislature, there are many ways to be an advocate. The MMA is here to help.

• Who are my Legislators?  
  • How to Talk to Elected Officials
  • Elect Legislators who Support Physicians and Patients
  • Physician’s Guide to Legislative Advocacy
• Action Alerts
• Submit an Issue to the MMA
• Day at the Capitol

Step 3: Raise Your Voice

Policy makers pay close attention to public opinion, and physician’s voices have tremendous credibility with legislators and the public. Don’t miss an opportunity to add your voice to the chorus.

• Submit an Issue to the MMA

Step 4: Make MMA Stronger

• We’re stronger together, and we need your help.
  • Recruit a Colleague to Join MMA
  • Join an MMA Committee or Task Force
  • Elect Legislators Who Support Physicians and Patients

Contact the MMA

The MMA has experts on staff who know politics and policy inside and out. With expertise in health care policy, state and federal legislative affairs, and communications, we stand ready to assist.

• Contact the MMA Advocacy Staff