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Public Policy & Advocacy
Update from Amanda Collar, Health and Public Policy Chair
(July 2021) The New Mexico ACP had a dream-team of participation at virtual Leadership Day 2021 (May 25-26th). We had the pleasure of meeting with staff from Representatives Yvette Herrell and Teresa Leger Fernandez and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Lujan's offices. The NMACP was able to have really productive and wide-ranging conversations with all offices about expanding telehealth and broadband access, lowering prescription drug prices, supporting trainees and GME through loan deferment and increasing residency slots to address physician shortages, and social justice (including extreme risk protections.) We were able to directly thank members for supporting the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, Equality Act, Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and George Floyd Justice in Policy Act.
Current and former Governors receive Advocacy Awards
(May 2021) Our NM Governor, Dr. Heather Brislen was awarded the 2020 The Richard Neubauer Advocate for Internal Medicine Award at Leadership Day in May. The Award recognizes the Advocate member who has made exceptional contributions to advance the College's public policy agenda. Congratulations! Read more here.
Former ACP NM Governor and ACP Regent, Dr. Eileen Barrett was recognized in May with ACP Services PAC Distinguished Service Award. Congratulations!
2022 Health Policy Internship Program
ACP is now accepting applications from medical students and residents for the 2022 Health Policy Internship Program, which will take place May 2 through May 27, 2022. The ACP Health Policy Internship provides a multifaceted opportunity to learn about the legislative process, health policy, and advocacy in organized medicine.
One resident/fellow and one medical student will be selected to work in ACP’s Washington, DC office with Governmental Affairs and Public Policy staff. The application closes on October 31, 2021. For more information about the program, please visit Health Policy Internship Program or contact Josh Serchen at jserchen@acponline.org with any questions.
Call for Resolutions
Spring 2022 Board of Governors Meeting
Are you concerned about a practice or clinical issue or have an idea you'd like to suggest? If so, you might consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or chapter council.
Initiating a resolution provides ACP members an opportunity to focus attention at the ACP national level on a particular issue or topic that concerns them. Participating in the Board of Governors resolutions process provides the ACP grassroots member a voice and allows you to shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine. When drafting a resolution, don't forget to consider how well it fits within ACP's Mission and Goals. In addition, be sure to use the College’s Priority Themes to guide you when proposing a resolution topic.
Not sure how to begin drafting a resolution? Researching the College's position on an issue can give you a start. Visit the ACP Online homepage and click the "Advocacy" link in the right-hand, top margin to access ACP policy positions, read about recent ACP advocacy activities, or search ACP's library of policies and recommendations. You also have access to the Electronic Resolutions System (ERS) where you can search past or proposed resolutions. A copy of the resolutions process is available on the ERS, which furnishes more details on formatting resolutions, as well the process for submission, review, and approval.
Members must submit resolutions to the Governor and/or chapter council. A resolution becomes a resolution of the chapter once the chapter council approves it. If effecting change interests you, the deadline for submitting new resolutions to be heard at the Spring 2022 Board of Governors Meeting is October 4, 2021.
Share your good idea with us. Draft a resolution.
ACP Advocacy Resources
Where the College Stands on key health policy issues, news and recent policy changes.
Visit Legislative Action Center for more information about the new Advocates for Internal Medicine Network (AIMn) and the Richard Neubauer Advocate for Internal Medicine Award.
State Health Policy Pages
- The ACP Advocate - bi-weekly, e-newsletter created to provide ACP members with news about public policy issues affecting internal medicine and patient care
- The ACP Advocacy Blog by Bob Doherty
- Electronic Resolution System - find Chapter Sponsored Resolutions
- Member Advocacy - other resources to help members advocate ACP policy
- Public Policy Virtual Library (PPVL) - a repository of ACP's current and historic policies and the Policy Compendium