"All Politics Is Local"
By Charles Williams, MD, FACR
In 1991, the ACR Bulletin pointed out the future of radiology would depend on our input into legislation and our relationship with legislators. More than 10 years later, this concept still holds true. Whether we like it or not, medicine, especially radiology and imaging, has become a focus of federal and state lawmakers. The College's leadership recognized this some time ago, concentrating resources and attention on political matters in Washington, DC, and developing RADPAC.
We can no longer afford for a few active radiologists to carry the water bucket for our profession. We need to channel our frustrations, energies, and finances into a constructive and effective direction through RADPAC. The stakes have never been higher for radiologists, our patients, and the care we deliver. In order for our profession to survive and prosper, we must accept this challenge and unite together through political activism.
When we think about getting involved politically, naturally we think about the ACR's Congressional Visit Day, held each year during the annual meeting in Washington, DC. But getting involved politically is not a 1-day event on Capitol Hill. It is important to realize that becoming politically active is a year-round effort that can occur where you live.
In early August 2004, RADPAC asked me if I would attend a fund-raising event and deliver a RADPAC check to my congressman Allen Boyd in Tallahassee, Fla. RADPAC selected Congressman Boyd based on his support of the medical community on crucial votes on medical liability reform and physician reimbursement.
RADPAC handled all of the logistics and sent me the check a few days before the event; all I had to do was show up. When I arrived at the event, I met Congressman Boyd, as well as his chief of staff. I sat next to him during dinner and we chatted about each others' interests, hobbies, background, and families. The access and length of time I was able to spend with the congressman far exceeded anything I could accomplish during a meeting in his office on Capitol Hill.
In addition to talking to Congressman Boyd on a more personal level, I was able to discuss with him some of the important legislative issues facing radiologists. I suggested he could learn more about our profession if he visited our private office (Radiology Associates of Tallahassee). We also agreed I would help set up a community medical fund-raiser with the local radiologists as a sponsor. It was a win-win proposition for both myself and the congressman.
Congressman Boyd accepted the invitation to tour our facility and visited our private office in August 2004. We discussed various imaging issues and concerns, including access of women to mammography, while we gave him a tour of our facility and our mammography center. More importantly, the congressman was able to meet the radiologists in our practice. He got an up-close look at how our practice is run and said he had a better appreciation for the important medical services we provide to our patients. It is important to remember that legislators rely on physicians like us, especially those practicing in a specialty, to help them understand the complex problems we face and the needs of our profession.
At the conclusion of his tour, we presented him with another RADPAC check. In addition, each radiologist in our practice (19) presented him with individual checks. Not only was the congressman pleasantly surprised to leave our practice with campaign contributions, he was genuinely appreciative of the tour and the time our radiologists spent with him.
In September 2004, the radiologists in my practice sponsored a community fund-raiser on behalf of the congressman. During his remarks, he gave recognition to the radiologists for their support of his campaign, clearly illustrating the positive impression we had made on him.
On election night, I joined Congressman Boyd and other supporters in Tallahassee to watch his victory returns come in. This is not something I would have done if I had only visited him once a year on Capitol Hill during the ACR annual meeting. My work with him over the past few months not only helped him get reelected, but also provided us the opportunity to develop a close friendship.
I feel the radiologists in Tallahassee now have an open door to Congressman Boyd to discuss any issues that are of concern. This relationship is of great benefit to the ACR and the entire profession of radiology when we are called upon by the College to carry our issues to Capitol Hill.
The late, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Tom Foley once said, "all politics is local." My experiences and interaction with Congressman Boyd and his staff have proven this famous adage to be true. I encourage all of you to get to know your legislators and build relationships with them. Doing so will go a long way in further building the name and presence of the American College of Radiology among lawmakers on Capitol Hill.