Lawmakers have returned to their states for October. This recess from congressional duties in Washington, DC, is a crucial time to protect your laboratory from federal regulatory overreach and to advocate against payment cuts to pathology services. Shy about advocating? Unsure if you should get involved? Check out some compelling reasons below:

1. Advocacy Empowers Pathologists

Advocacy amplifies the voices of people who need to be heard. It involves speaking up so that their perspectives are taken seriously, and their voices listened to. This enables pathologists to become more involved in decisions that affect their practice, patients, and lives. It also creates confidence when advocating within a hospital system or multidisciplinary practice. You can even use the advocacy skills you gain in other areas of your personal and professional life.

2. Advocacy Influences Policy Change

Policy advocacy attempts to initiate, direct, or prevent specific policy changes by influencing the actions of legislators in the local and federal government.

Advocates can drive policy changes in multiple ways:

• Speaking directly to lawmakers by testifying before legislative committees or Capitol Hill briefings, providing expert advice on policy issues, or contacting elected officials through CAP Action Alerts where you can personalize letters that are sent directly to their inboxes.
• Educating political leaders of the burdens on pathology through social media platforms. Retweet or share CAP Advocacy posts and tag your local member of Congress asking them to take action.

3. Advocacy Raises Awareness

CAP Advocacy is essential because it shines a light on issues people would otherwise ignore or fail to notice. Advocates can share their personal stories, experiences, and challenges of working in the field of pathology. CAP advocates can use education to influence beliefs and gain passionate supporters in Congress.

5. Advocacy Provides Support and Resources

Advocacy work is more than supporting the rights of a specific group. A core function is connecting people with services or resources they need to find their way through challenging circumstances. An advocate can work to defend pathologists’ interests - like helping them receive the pay they deserve - so they remain in practice for the benefit of local patients.

6. Advocacy Fosters Accountability

Advocacy efforts can pressure people in power to act responsibly. Lawmakers often get pressure from industries, their own party, or a desire to win an election that might cause them to act on legislation (or not act) that could cause additional burdens on the practice of pathology. Consistently advocating on behalf of pathologists forces local legislators to listen to their constituents and act positively on their behalf for the good of their own community.

7. Advocacy Drives Systemic Change

Advocacy can cause fundamental shifts with long-term impacts on society. Stopping Medicare cuts for pathologists or getting new legislation around the regulation of laboratory-developed tests drives change that will affect not only the practice of pathology but countless patients in communities across the United States who deserve timely, accurate tests to manage disease states. A systemic change can help unburden pathologists, drive more medical students into pathology and create easier access to testing for healthier communities.

For more ways to engage and active your advocacy muscles while Congress is in your home district during their October recess, click here.