The Importance of Advocacy
In a perfect world, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists explains, “The best health care is provided free of political interference in the patient-physician relationship.” Unfortunately, healthcare and politics are not exclusive of one another which means those in healthcare fill an important role when it comes to bettering patient care through advocacy. Large-scale advocacy focuses on changing the system, while advocacy on an individual level endeavors to speak on the patient’s behalf. If you are not part of a well-established advocacy group such as the MMA, AMA or ACOG, your individual advocacy can still have lasting effects for the patients in your care. An important role of your state’s members of congress is to be a representation of the people’s popular will.
Bills to be aware of
The Guttmacher Policy Tracker has up to date information on state-specific legislation that is introduced each year.
Legal Voice keeps track of abortion-related bills in the Pacific Northwest
Contacting your members of Congress
| During Interim | During Session |
| While legislation is not in session there is not staff working a designated information desk. Legislators must be contacted directly by their information that is listed on their state’s staff roster (links listed below). | There is information desk staff that attend to phones/emails during normal work hours while in session. Contact info is below. |
*Go to your state’s congressional website to determine session dates*
Locating your District and Congresspeople
Check here> https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/map
Members of Congress by State
House Reps by State: https://www.house.gov/representatives
Senators by State: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
WWAMI Specific Sites
| Washington | https://app.leg.wa.gov/rosters/members |
| Wyoming | https://wyoleg.gov/Legislators |
| Alaska | Senate: http://akleg.gov/senate.php House: http://akleg.gov/house.php |
| Montana | https://leg.mt.gov/legislator-information/ |
| Idaho | Senate: https://legislature.idaho.gov/senate/membership/ House: https://legislature.idaho.gov/house/membership/ |
Tips when advocating for or against a bill
- Keep it short– legislators don’t have time to sort through a long message
- Address specific legislator(s)/committee(s) in letter/email/voicemail
- Only contact senators and/or representatives in your district
- Identify bill by number, title and sponsor
- Identify whether you are for/against the bill and why
- Cite any sources to back your position
- Include your name, address and a little about who you are
Pacific Abortion Project 