Why Talking with Your Legislator is So Important

Horizons in Hemophilia, February 2013

By Michelle Putnam, Associate Director of Research and Advocacy

On Monday, February 11, Hemophilia of Georgia clients and family members celebrated Hemophilia Day at the Capitol. They met face to face with their legislators and described what it means to have a bleeding disorder and how it impacts their lives. Their stories helped educate Senators and Representatives, many of whom do not know much about bleeding disorders.  Although Hemophilia Day at the Capitol is a great way to sit down with your legislators, you can be in touch with them throughout the year.  Even the simplest communication can make a big difference, and we encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and introduce yourself.

Here are the top three reasons why talking with your legislator is important to the bleeding disorder community:

1. Legislators want to be reelected. By taking a moment to make phone calls to legislators or sit down with them in their office, you are letting them know that you are paying attention to the decisions that they make. As a voter and constituent, you help keep them in office, and they want to make sure that your needs are met.

2. Legislators don't know everything.  Just because they are elected officials, this doesn't mean that legislators are experts in everything that crosses their desks. They see over 1,500 bills each legislative session.  It is important that we educate them on what matters to people with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders: affordable, comprehensive insurance and access to medication and hemophilia treatment centers.  If we share our stories as a bleeding disorder community, then they may remember our needs when it comes time to vote on a bill.

3. Hemophilia and bleeding disorders are rare conditions.  Elected officials may be bombarded with lobbyists or constituents representing other causes.  Numbers matter at the Capitol.  It is important that you share your story, so that the bleeding disorder community does not get lost in the hundreds of other causes that are being advocated for each day.  Your stories are rare and impactful, and as a community, we need them to be heard.

There are a number of ways to communicate with your legislators.  First, you can find out who your legislators are and their contact information at www.votesmart.org. Simply making a phone call or sending an email is an effective way to introduce yourself as a constituent. Whenever you communicate with a legislator, always tell them your name and where you live so they immediately understand that you are a constituent who lives in their district.  Many elected officials have Twitter and Facebook accounts.  You can use these social media platforms to see what they are up to, what their priorities are, and even comment on what they are doing.

If you would like to be notified of ways you can help advocate throughout the year, please contact Michelle Putnam at mputnam@hog.org  or 770-518-8272.