Translating Advocacy Skills into Action: Aledade’s National Policy Collaborative Shares Tools for Success

By Gaston Lassalle and Jennifer Lyons

The primary care clinician voice is an essential component of advocating for policies that strengthen the health care system, and Aledade's State Policy Program provides a platform to empower and elevate the voices of independent and community-based primary care clinicians nationwide.

At Aledade's fifth National Policy Collaborative, Advocacy 201: Translating Skills into Action, a distinguished panel of experts provided tips and resources to help clinicians, practice staff and stakeholders effectively advocate for the future of primary care.

Moderated by Aledade Senior State Policy Analyst Jennifer Lyons, the thought-provoking discussion focused on actionable strategies for legislative advocacy. These included building and maintaining policymaker relationships, leveraging data-layered personal stories, and incorporating proactive efforts into the busy clinician schedule.

Emerging from the webinar were the following three takeaways that can drive success in preserving and expanding primary care in communities.

1. Building relationships: the foundation of successful advocacy

The importance of building strong, sustainable relationships with policymakers was a central theme of the discussion, and understanding who to contact in the legislature is an important first step. Resources like the Congress Find Your Members page help constituents easily identify their legislators and Aledade can provide the support needed for meaningful interactions.

Pennsylvania Representative Arvind Venkat, M.D., an emergency physician and the only medical professional currently who serves in that state's legislature, underscored the power of trust and connection. "The advocacy process is really about relationships," Venkat shared. "Building relationships with legislators before you need them is the secret sauce to being effective."

Jennifer Brull, M.D., Aledade Vice President of Clinical Engagement, shared that effective advocacy is not just about the policy issues but also the people behind them. "Start with common ground," she advised. "Getting to know legislators and their staff on a personal level can pave the way for meaningful partnerships, even on difficult issues."

Regular, proactive communication with legislators between meetings strengthens trust, as Sarah Mullins, M.D., Delaware family physician and owner of an Aledade partner practice, explained. Mullins shared that to maintain visibility and connection between in-person interactions, she "keeps policymakers updated on practice developments, whether it's hiring new staff or absorbing a retiring colleague's patient panel."

Aledade's State Policy team organizes hill days at the federal and state capitols where physician members can connect with their legislators, either as a first-time meeting or as part of an ongoing relationship.

1. Stories, supplemented with data, are our most powerful tools

When meeting with lawmakers and their staff, real-world examples on how policies impact patients and practices - either for better or for worse - can be the most influential. Combining stories with data further demonstrates the value of primary care to local communities and can galvanize lawmakers to take action on their behalf.

When it comes to primary care investment, a leading priority area for Aledade, the intersection of stories and data can be especially impactful. As an example, Mullins highlighted the collective effort that led to the proportion of Delaware's budget allotted to primary care spending to increase to 11.5% from 3%. "We worked with our medical society, testified in our white coats, and shared our stories directly with legislators," she said.

Emphasizing the systemic cost savings associated with primary care investment also can be persuasive, added Umar Bowers, M.D., North Carolina internal medicine physician and owner of an Aledade partner practice. He noted that "increased access and utilization of primary care reduces costs downstream, meaning fewer hospitalizations, fewer emergency visits and better outcomes overall."

By centering the stories of primary care clinicians, Aledade's State Policy Program has successfully driven policies that support greater investments in primary care, reduce administrative burden and strengthen the workforce.

1. Advocacy can fit into the busy clinician schedule

When juggling the demands of managing a primary care practice, finding time for advocacy can feel staggering - especially if a physician is making that effort alone.

The webinar concluded with some final tips from panelists to engage meaningfully in advocacy, even with limited time:

• Leverage your unique position. Bowers encouraged clinicians to remember their value, saying "as physicians, we are community leaders, employers and trusted voices. Don't underestimate the power of your story."
• Focus on what matters to you. Mullins advised the audience to "choose an issue you're passionate about - it's easier to advocate for something you care about deeply."
• Build relationships proactively. Proactive outreach builds familiarity and trust, making it easier to call for support on a policy issue when the need arises. "Every physician should meet their state legislator every six months - not to ask for something, but to build a relationship," Rep. Venkat said.
• Find strength in numbers. "When we work together, our voices are louder and our impact is greater," shared Brull. Joining the efforts of professional organizations or advocacy networks like Aledade amplifies individual voices and ensures that the priorities of independent and community-based primary care clinicians are represented in policy.

Through Aledade's policy committees, members can stay up-to-date on important policy happenings, deepen connections with legislators and other stakeholders, and build critical skills needed for effective advocacy, all without distracting them from the needs of their practice.

Looking ahead: raising our collective voices to strengthen primary care

At Aledade, we are committed to supporting our partners not only in succeeding in value-based care models but also in advocating for policies that bring much needed investment to primary care. Together, we can ensure that the voice of primary care remains strong and that its value is reflected in health policy across the nation.
For more information on how to get involved in Aledade's advocacy, please reach out to [email protected].

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