The Department of Federal Affairs has been the Academy’s link to federal legislative activities in Washington, DC, for more than 30 years. Pediatricians with the drive to make a difference in child and adolescent health through Congress and/or federal agencies are given the information and tools necessary to become effective child advocates, from offering testimony to meeting with a representative or senator. Access to health care for all children, immunizations, children with disabilities, injury prevention, and Medicaid are only a few of the topics on the AAP agenda. AAP members interested in joining the action may want to attend the legislative conference. In addition to child advocacy activities, the department acts as a representative for the pediatrician. Federal legislation and regulations involving the education of new physicians, the ethics of medical practice, biomedical research, and clinical laboratory testing all fall within the boundaries of the department.
Federal Advocacy Action Network -
FAAN:
The Federal Advocacy Action Network (FAAN) is comprised of all AAP members for whom the Academy has an email address. FAAN alerts are sent when federal legislative efforts require large-scale advocacy efforts by the Academy's entire membership.
Coordinated by the AAP Department of Federal Affairs, FAAN is a network of AAP members who help support federal legislative and regulatory activities from their position as constituents. FAAN members play an important role in passing federal legislation that benefits children and pediatricians.
The AAP Department of Federal Affairs gives FAAN members the information and tools needed to persuade their legislators. Find the names of your congressional representatives, contact legislators via e-mail, read about congressional activity, and register to become a Key Contact. To see the latest info from the FAAN, visit the Members Only Channel (http://www.aap.org/moc) and click on "Federal Affairs".
Be an AAP Key Contact:
If AAP members want to do more federal advocacy than responding to the FAAN alerts, we encourage pediatricians to join the AAP Key Contact program. Key Contacts have an interest in developing a stronger working relationship with their congressional delegation, and usually work on several AAP legislative issues. Key Contacts are contacted on a regular basis (approximately once a month when Congress is in session). Key Contacts receive all the latest information and news, advocacy tips and tools, suggestions for improving relationships with members of Congress and more sophisticated advocacy assignments, such as media work and congressional visits (all with help from AAP staff). To sign up to be an AAP Key Contact, log on to http://www.aap.org/moc and click on "Federal Affairs".
Find Your Elected Officials:
Visit the AAP Department of Federal Affairs Advocacy Center to fill out a form to be matched with your federal legislators. Go to the AAP Members Center, www.aap.org/moc and click on Federal Affairs. You only have to fill the form out once and you’ll always be able to easily access your legislator’s information.
