POLICY & ADVOCACY
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS to Reach Our
Goals
Monalisa Tailor, MD
A
predictable routine: our days
could be characterized in this
way. Office, surgery, hospital,
rinse and repeat. Our routine
is defined by the relationships
we create with our patients. Understanding
them, understanding their goals, and pro-
viding some positive influence in their lives is
of utmost importance. Our relationship with our patient is sacred.
However, it is in constant flux in an ever-changing health care sys-
tem. Because of system challenges, insurance restrictions, formu-
laries, cost and electronic medical records, we have left the business
decisions to the hands of others. Now we face decisions made by
individuals without our clinical experience or understanding.
Advocacy allows us to make an impact on these challenges
we face as health care advocates, physician advocates and patient
advocates. It allows us to improve the understanding of health care
and our health care system. Of our KMA membership, currently
only two percent support our Kentucky Physician’s Political Action
8
LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
Committee (KPPAC). KPPAC is our ability to endorse legislators
who support and move forward on health care issues. Our KPPAC
has supported winning candidates in 33 of 36 races. Just as we
build relationships with our patients, advocacy allows us to build
relationships with our legislators. Just as we improve our patients’
health literacy, advocacy allows us to improve our legislators’ health
literacy. It’s beyond an annual visit, it’s an ongoing relationship
that’s strengthened by routine visits, communications, and financial
support. Have coffee with your legislators. Send them an email or
tweet. Support KPPAC to give back to them. Let’s help move our
health care challenges in a positive direction.
Dr. Tailor practices internal medicine with Norton Community Medical
Associates-Barret.