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- PathPAC Members Meet with Local Lawmakers to Influence Policy
Over the summer, PathPAC members came out in force working to develop relationships with their local Senate and House of Representatives while Congress was home for August recess. Karim Sirgi, MD, MBA, FCAP of the Colorado delegation joined Sen. Jerry Moran (KS) at a political retreat in Colorado Springs. The event was attended by more than eight senators, many of whom are on the key committees with jurisdiction over health care issues.
Ross Simpson, MD, FCAP (below) of the Minnesota delegation also participated in an August event for Sen. Tina Smith (MN) at the Senator’s home in Minneapolis. Dr. Simpson and the Senator, who sits on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, exchanged contacts, and learned of shared connections in the state.
Jared Abbott, MD, PhD, MBA, FCAP (below) of the Iowa delegation (and a former PathPAC Board Chair) attended political receptions at the Iowa state fair in August. He connected with nearly all of Iowa’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Joni Ernst and Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, Randy Feenstra, and Zach Nunn. Rep. Nunn told Dr. Abbott he would be interested in learning more about pathology and agreed to touring a lab this fall. Rep. Jason Smith (MO), Chair of the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means, also attended the event.
This valuable facetime in a more personal setting helps to positively promote pathology and lays a strong foundation for future advocacy touchpoints. These connections help develop more pathology champions in the Senate and House of Representatives—and will help move pathology interests forward as a busy fall legislative session is already underway.