Be a part of the collective voice of your profession! VDHA Rally Day 2017 Be a part of the collective voice of your profession!

What is Rally Day? An opportunity to join hygienists from around the state to educate legislators regarding bills affecting the dental hygiene profession and the population we serve. A structured day dedicated to meeting legislators face to face as oral health and consumer advocates.

Who Participates in Rally Day? Senior dental hygiene students from around the state Practicing dental hygienists A powerful show of over 200 students and professionals

What Is Lobbying? The presentation of ideas, thoughts and opinions, and points of view to policymakers, legislators, state agency directors, and dental board members. An attempt to influence the decision-making process.

Lobbying The building of personal relationships between VDHA and policymakers. Legislators can impact our profession by passing laws that determine how and where we practice.

Lobbying Helps legislators make more educated decisions. Legislators cannot be experts on every issue so we can serve as a resource.

Key Practice Issues Direct access to dental hygiene care Scope of practice Reimbursement

What Influences the Scene? Election year/primaries Governor’s priorities/campaign promises Political agendas of each party State budget How your bills fit into this environment Controversy

Key Visits Visiting ALL assigned legislators is important, but if you are in districts of key legislators, your visits are even more influential. Determine priorities. Some have key leadership roles that shape the legislative agenda. Others serve on key committees that vote whether a bill moves forward or dies. House Health, Welfare and Institutions Senate Education and Health

How a Bill Becomes a Law Bills start as ideas from legislators, constituents, special interest groups, etc. Bill introduction Committee process Assigned to subcommittee Hearings Many ways to “kill” a bill Tabled, passed by indefinitely, continued to next session, stricken, no hearing, defeated Floor “Crossover” Governor’s action Veto session

Resources Identify Your ‘Home’ Legislators http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov (or google “VA who is my legislator”) General Assembly Website http://virginiageneralassembly.gov Legislation and Voting Records (when available) http://lis.virginia.gov

Lobbying Tips Know legislators’ office numbers at the General Assembly Building before your visit. Review your appointment times. Review VDHA fact card and talking points!

How to Lobby Be there on time at the General Assembly to start the Rally Day program. Meet your legislator with a short prepared message or be ready to leave a message in his/her office if they cannot meet.

Talking to Virginia Legislators Greet the secretary or legislative aide and state whether you have an appointment. Try to talk to your legislator or their legislative aide personally rather than leave a message. Sign their guest book.

Meeting with Legislators Be polite and friendly. Dress professionally; wear comfortable shoes. Are you a constituent? Let them know! Be brief and concise. Thank them for their time.

Meeting with Legislators Do not speak negatively with anyone who opposes our legislation, point of view Instead, clarify our position with accurate points to back it up. Listen to what they legislator’s response is and record it on paper, if possible, and return it to your faculty or Susan Pharr, VDHA Regulations and Practice Chair (shpharr@gmail.com) Take note of the legislator’s attitude.

Meeting with Legislators Exchange ideas and correct misconceptions. Ask for clear answers, but do not be too pushy. Leave your business card if you have one. If you do not know the answer to a question, tell the legislator that an VDHA representative will get the answer. Write it down and return to Susan Pharr.

Prevention Messages Tooth decay and gum disease are preventable. Prevention is: Cost effective Keeps people pain-free Helps people stay healthy Dental hygienists are best educated in health promotion and disease prevention .

HB 1474 Talking Points The VDHA and the VDA worked together last session to pass legislation to expand remote supervision to new settings, such as health clinics, schools, nursing homes, etc. to help serve more patients. Since implementation of the new law, we discovered a few minor issues that need to be fixed to ensure it can work as intended. HB1474 makes technical adjustments to ensure that more Virginians are able to access to oral health care. VDHA and VDA both support HB1474. More specific talking points will be provided on Rally Day.

Meeting Follow-Up Send your legislators a thank-you note for taking the time to speak with you. VDHA will have CE forms available after the meetings. There will be a group photo for all to put in the media.

Thank You!! See You on Rally Day! Contact Information: Trish MacDougall: macdougalltrish@gmail.com Susan Pharr: shpharr@gmail.com