ADVOCACY IN ACTION
The Power of One
BY H . SCOTT SMITH , JD AMS DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
The importance of each vote making a difference was highlighted this past November when State Representative Steve Magie , MD , won re-election in a true nail-biter . When the counting was completed , Dr . Magie , who is also an AMS Past President and current chair of ArkMed-PAC ( the AMS political action committee ), had 4,052 votes and his opponent had 4,042 - a winning margin of . 0012 % proving those 10 votes for Dr . Magie were incredibly important .
What you may not understand is how important a candidate ’ s “ get out the vote ” operation is for successful politicians . One voter told Dr . Magie that either he or his campaign workers came to her house a total of seven times ! While Dr . Magie ’ s victory was close , repetition and perseverance were key to his victory .
The same repetition and perseverance will be needed for the continued success of AMS in the legislature this session .
In committees , close votes happen at just about every meeting , making it a strong likelihood that at least one bill will either pass or fail by ONE VOTE . The same is true for legislation that makes it to the State House and State Senate floors . Each regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly has had legislation pass or fail because of the vote of just ONE legislator , who might just be YOUR legislator .
You , the constituents , will be the key to success … especially on those hotly contested bills in committees where there is a ONE VOTE margin . Now is the perfect time to introduce yourself to your State Representative and State Senator and offer to serve as a resource on medical-related issues . If your legislators are on either the Insurance and Commerce committee or the Public Health committee , your help will be especially critical to this year ’ s session . ( See below to learn how to locate your legislator ).
When specific issues are before those committees , be on the lookout for our Legislative Update emails that will give you the bills coming up soon along with talking points . You do not have to be an expert on the bill . Talking points will get you the information we need to be communicated , and legislators will listen to you . Just be polite , offer your thoughts , and if asked something you don ’ t know , say you ’ ll get back to them with the information .
Your frequent efforts to communicate with your legislators will make our efforts in getting support and counting votes more effective . The power of your ONE vote , call , text , or face-to-face visit , can bring ONE positive vote that helps all Arkansas physicians and your patients . ■
Locate Your Legislator To find your state representative and state senator :
Go to ARKMED . org , and under the Advocacy tab , click on the “ Locate Your Legislator ” link ( or scan QR code ).
Scroll down to enter your zip code and address , then scroll to the bottom to locate your STATE Representatives and Senators .
To send a message , click the box next to your House and Senate legislator , then click “ compose ” to send them a message . You can also click on their names to see if their district phone numbers are listed .
Another way to contact your legislator is to call the Capitol and leave a message for them , and always include your best contact number and a BRIEF message asking them to call you back .
Each regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly has had legislation pass or fail because of the vote of just ONE legislator , who might just be YOUR legislator .
Scan QR Code for AMS Locate Your Legislator webpage
Senate – 501-682-2902 House - 501-682-6211
84 THE JOURNAL OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL SOCIETY