During the General Assembly Session the coalition meets with individual legislators to tell them about our coalition, to share our priorities and to listen to their perspectives on the issues. We also attend hearings and testify at public hearings for bills that we support. But we recognize that legislators respond first to their own constituents. When they get letters and emails from citizens outside their districts they tend not to pay much attention.

So we have devised a strategy to bring our priorities to the legislature: Constituents! We need two primary activities:

• Constituents writing to their legislators
• Constituents visiting their legislators

Writing to legislators is critical because they genuinely want to know how their constituents feel on an issue. We send out a few timely alerts during the session with some background facts and talking points and ask that you send out an email or letter to your delegates and senator emphasizing what you would like them to do. This actually takes a small amount of time and you can do it at home or the office when you have time.

Visiting legislators helps in two ways. The legislators hear their constituents views and can have a dialog with them. In addition, it helps show different faces for our coalition and emphasizes the size of our membership when we testify.

So we have devised a strategy to reach out to our legislators and we need you!

Join an Advocacy Team
Become an Active Health Care Reformer!

There are two ways to do this. You can become a member of:

Member Communications Advocacy Team (MCAT) and contact your legislators via letter, email or telephone. This is critical because the legislators genuinely want to know how their constituents feel on an issue. When there is a particularly important issue we will send each member an alert with some background facts and talking points. Then we ask you to contact your delegates and senator emphasizing your position and what action they should take. This won't take long and you can do it at home or the office at your convenience.

Member Action Advocacy Team (MAAT) and visit your legislators. Sharing your story and views with your Delegates and Senator gives them a fresh and important perspective on the issues that matter to you. And, don't worry if you are new to Annapolis . We will join you in these visits so it is a great way to become involved with the Coalition and to learn more about the legislative process. It also brings an important immediacy to the issues you care about.

No prior experience is necessary so get involved and become a health care reformer today!

To learn more and sign up contact the Coalition's Vice Chair, Leni Preston - lenipreston@verizon.net ; 301.530.8153