Capitol Hill Day: Medical Student Takeaways and Best Practices

As a third-year medical student, I had the unique opportunity to step away from clinical rotations for two days to attend the ACR® Council Session, the Capitol Hill preparation session and most importantly, Capitol Hill Day.

On May 7, hundreds of attending radiologists, residents, medical students and medical physicists gathered at the Capitol Hill Club for breakfast and final preparations before a full day of Congressional meetings. The Florida chapter was represented by a dynamic and diverse group from across the state, united by a shared passion for advocacy and advancement of radiology. This year, our collective purpose was visually reinforced as we all wore our white coats as a symbol of unity and purpose.

The ACR legislative agenda this year focused on two major priorities: 1) Securing permanent reform of the Medicare physician payment system and 2) Advancing the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act, which supports appropriate use criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging services. 

As a medical student, I initially felt somewhat apprehensive about engaging in policy discussions that seemed more suited to experienced physicians. However, under the exceptional leadership of  Florida Radiological Society President Juan Carlos Batlle, MD, MBA, FACR, I was encouraged to share my perspective. I voiced concerns about the overutilization and inappropriate use of imaging, issues rooted in limited exposure to radiology in undergraduate medical education and nonphysician scope creep. I also shared a personal story of undergoing a breast biopsy as a patient, highlighting the importance of early, accurate imaging and informed ordering practices.

This visit marked the fourth time I’d advocated on Capitol Hill as a medical student, and it was by far the smoothest. I walked nearly 27,000 steps, participated in six Congressional meetings and delivered informational folders to nine additional offices where formal appointments couldn’t be scheduled.

Here are a few best practices I found particularly valuable:

1. Attend the Capitol Hill preparation session to familiarize yourself with key talking points and logistical details.
2. Coordinate effectively with your delegation using group chats (e.g., WhatsApp) for real-time updates.
3. Wear comfortable shoes and remember to stay hydrated throughout the day.
4. Travel light, but don’t forget essentials like a pen and a portable phone charger.
5. Speak up as your personal stories from clinical rotations or patient experiences can be powerful advocacy tools.