Legislative Advocacy Guide

Legislative Advocacy Guide

According to legislative aides in Congress, mass emails and letters have almost no impact on Members of Congress who aren’t fully decided on an issue. What forms of advocacy have the most impact? Follow our Advocacy Guide below to help pass the Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act in the House, and the American Health Security Act in the Senate.

You can find bill summaries and talking points for each single-payer bill in Congress here.

Step #1: Call Your Legislators, Write a Personalized Email, or Send a Personalized Fax

Visit contactingthecongress.com and enter your address to pull up contact information for your one Representative and two Senators in Congress.

The most effective actions you can take as an individual are to call your legislator and tell your personal story about why single-payer healthcare reform is so important to you, or to send an individualized email or fax. Do not send postal mail to your Member of Congress, since security screening will delay its delivery for 2 weeks or longer.

Step #2: Organize a Delegation of Constituents to Visit Your Legislator’s District Office

The most effective means of moving your legislator – and usually a requirement for success – is to have a delegation of constituents visit them or their staff, and to make a formal co-sponsorship request. In addition, constituents representing organizations with a membership in the district have a greater impact. Reach out to other constituents and grassroots organizations in your area and contact your legislator’s office to schedule a meeting!