It’s August. Do you know where your congressman is?
Last week, my wife Cathy and I met with Congressman John Moolenaar.
Rep. Moolenaar is a strong friend of compounding. Due to the 2020 redistricting in Michigan, I now have the chance to vote for him for the first time. I have always supported him, but now I am a constituent, which creates a huge shift in our dynamic.
Do you know who your state representative is? You should. If you do know, do you know where they are right now? I can tell you exactly: They are back in your district, working hard for votes from you, your patients and your neighbors. They want to meet with you.
Remember, we hire them. They work for us and need to hear our feedback, much like you give each of your team members every year.
In the next couple of months, you have three excellent opportunities to engage with your member of congress and make sure your voice gets heard:
1. Congress is in recess in August. EVERYONE is home in their district. It is a perfect opportunity to reach out and invite them to tour your pharmacy. Tell them your story, let them meet your patents and show them what you do.
2. If you cannot get your representative in for a visit, meet them at a fundraiser, a town hall or other local event they are holding. The important thing is to meet them, give them your elevator story, and do it as often as you can.
3. Attend APC’s annual fly-in, Compounders on Capitol Hill, in September. This is your chance to meet them on their turf. This is a well-organized event that will feature over 500 Hill visits. This is your chance to meet with other compounders and together tell your member of congress why what you do is important.
If you need help engaging your congressman in your home district, APC has two excellent resources: David Pore (dpore@hslawmail.com), Partner at the law firm Hance Scarboro, and APC’s chief lobbyist, Amy Shank (AShank@pccarx.com), PCCA’s Director of Government Relations. Both are excellent resources and are happy to help you develop relationships with your representative.
• • •
David Miller is APC’s president and the managing co-owner of Keystone Compounding Pharmacy in Grand Rapids, Michigan. You can reach him at drdave@keystonepharm.com.
|