AANP State Leadership Conference

The ABCs of the Political ProcessFebruary 6, 2005

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Are You Legitimate Do You Know Your Audience Does Your Audience Know You

Are You Legitimate?

Are You Incorporated? Are You Officially Recognized by the

AANP? Do You Have Members?

Do You Know Your Audience?

How does the State issue licenses to health professions, and what health professions does it license?

Who are your enemies and allies? What is the political composition of the

Legislature? What local resources and talents are

available to you?

Does Your Audience Know You?

Who do they think you are? Naturopath, Traditional Naturopath, Naturopathic Medical Doctor, Naturopathic Doctor, ND, NMD, or perhaps Herb Doctor?

What do they think you do? Consult and Counsel, Diagnose and Treat, Primary Care or Specialist?

What do they think you want?Professional licensure, Prescription Privileges, Insurance Reimbursement, Regulatory Accountability, Public Safety, All of the Above?

The Bill

What’s in it?Title Protection, Scope of Practice

Who writes it?AANP Model Legislation, Legislative Counsel

Who introduces it?Bill Sponsor(s), Bill Champion(s)

Keys To Success

The Right Lobbyist

A Bill Champion

Grassroots Capability

A Powerful Alliance

A Day in the Life of a Lobbyist

sLobbyists must be adept at the art of persuasion, which is the mainstay of their job. They must figure out how to sway politicians to vote on legislation in a way that favors the interest they represent.

Lobbyists also occasionally lobby one another. When normally opposing groups find a common area of interest and can present a united front they are extremely effective.

Lobbying can be direct or indirect. Direct lobbying means actually meeting with congressmen and providing them with information pertinent to a bill being voted on. The lobbyist imparts her information with the help of graphs, charts, polls, and reports that she has hunted up or created. Needless to say, this is usually information that the politician might not otherwise have access to, that casts the matter in a light favorable to the interest the lobbyist represents.

Sometimes, lobbyists will even sit down and help a politician draft legislation that is advantageous for their interest. Maintaining good relations with politicians who can be relied on to support the lobbyist’s interest is key.

A Day in the Life of a Lobbyist

While lobbyists and their employers cannot themselves make large campaign donations to politicians, they can, and do, raise money from other sources for reelection campaigns.

To be successful at all of this, the lobbyist must be well-informed, persuasive, and self-confident. Personal charm doesn’t hurt either, and lobbyists will often do social things like host cocktail parties, which allow them to interact with politicians-and opponents-in a less formal atmosphere.

Key Characteristics“Lobbying is a profession full of people who have changed careers, since relevant knowledge and experience are all you really need to become a lobbyist. There are no licensing or certification requirements, but lobbyists are required to register with the state and federal governments.”

Well Known and Well Regarded

Personally Committed

Politically Correct

Experienced and Creative

Your Champion

Who will it be?Majority, Minority, Committee Chair, Leadership, Male or Female, Big City or Little Town

What does a legislator want?Will it be good for my constituents?Will it be bad for my constituents?Who will be angry?What conflicts does this create?It is easy to understand and explain?Will it be good or bad for me?

Grassroots

The number of NDs x patients + family + friends = VOTES

Alliances

FriendsThose of like mind and orientation can work toward a common goal

CompetitorsThose who seek common goals but play in different sandboxes often have reason to work side by side

Business PartnersSuccessful strategic alliances with either friends or competitors are always financially beneficial to both parties.

Conditions for Negotiation

• Interdependence• Leverage or influence• Sense of urgency or deadline• No major psychological barriers• Issues must be negotiable• A better deal not available elsewhere• Boundaries clear & manageable• Participation is voluntary• Representation is clear & with authority

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AANP Resources

The State AllianceMonthly meetings of states pursuing licensure, access to comprehensive and confidential documents and resources on a secure web site, sophisticated review of all legislation in relation to AANP’s model bill.

The State Readiness AssessmentComprehensive evaluation of state capacity and resource requirements, distribution of funding for travel, grassroots, and more.

Materials and ExpertisePrint materials, access to AANMC, expert witnesses

Passage of Licensing Law

The End…..

NOT!

When Does the Fat Lady Sing?

Regulatory Promulgation Scope of Practice Reimbursement Access