Hemophilia Day at the Capitol
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By Michelle Putnam, Associate Director of Advocacy and Research
Thursday, March 1, 2012 was officially declared “Hemophilia Day” at the Georgia General Assembly. Representative Harry Geisinger authored House Resolution 1573, which was adopted by the House of Representatives and recognizes Hemophilia of Georgia and people impacted by bleeding disorders.
Legislators were not in session on March 1, but we were able to meet with several high-ranking members of both the House and the Senate. Each year, the General Assembly meets for forty days between January and March, and their schedules are usually set only a week in advance. This year is an election year, and legislators are eager to use their weekends to visit their districts and reconnect with voters. As a result, the Capitol was quiet, reserved, and less chaotic than on a formal session day, which gave us more of an opportunity to reach out to the legislators that were there.
There were several committee meetings being held at the Capitol on Thursday, and clients and staff had a chance to speak with several committee chairmen who make key decisions about legislation that affects people with bleeding disorders. Even though we were not advocating for or against a specific bill this year, it is important to maintain and cultivate relationships with legislators.
Several clients were able to sit down with their legislators in their offices and have an extended conversation about how bleeding disorders impact their lives. Most members of the General Assembly have never met anyone with hemophilia, and the simple act of making an introduction goes a long way in making sure that they understand how the decisions they make about health care can affect you and your family. If you don't know who your legislators are, you can find out on this webpage.
Of course, your relationship with your legislator doesn’t begin or end with Hemophilia Day. You can write, call, or email your Senator or Representative any time during the year. You can even meet with them in your district.
Legislators want to hear from their constituents, and your voice is important to them (especially in an election year!). If you would like to discuss setting up a meeting with your legislator or simply learn more about advocacy and sharing your story, please contact Michelle Putnam at mputnam@hog.org.