Getting Involved

Together, shaping the future of medicine.

We strive to provide you with resources for you to be informed and involved:

Bills: NHMS follows state and local legislative activity and takes active positions on many bills.
American Medical Association (AMA): NHMS is an independent member of the American Medical Association federation. What does this mean? This means that as a state medical society, NHMS is granted status within the AMA, including a voting delegate. This important status provides New Hampshire a voice on the national stage as it relates to policy established by the AMA.

AMA Website: www.ama-assn.org
AMPAC: www.ampaconline.org

Your NHMS AMA Representatives:

Georgia Tuttle, MD AMA Board of Trustees

William J. Kassler, MD, MPH NHMS AMA Delegate
Candidate, AMA Council on Science and Public Health

Stuart J. Glassman, MD NHMS Alternate AMA Delegate

Frustrated by Prior Auth Issues?

Learn how one physician made a difference. You can too!

Legislative Tool Kit

One of the most effective ways to influence public policy is to remain engaged with your elected officials. The NHMS Legislative Tool Kit was designed to help you communicate more effectively with your elected officials. Here are some helpful ways you can be more effectively involved.

Form letters are NOT effective!

It is best to provide a personal call, letter or arrange a meeting with your elected official. For more information and to learn the best way to communicate with your elected officials, contact James Potter.

For calls, email or letters:

State the issue and your position. For example, “As a physician in your district, I am asking for your support for HB 1234 because it will improve care for patients with XYZ.”
Do not use a Form letter as they are not effective; provide a personal example of how a particular bill will benefit/harm patient care.
On critical issues, NHMS often provides Talking Points. Highlight one or two talking points, by giving a personal or specific example of how the issue will affect patients, public health, cost of care, your practice, patient safety, etc.
Ask if they have any questions or would like more information.
If you are asked a question you don’t know the answer to, offer to get back to the legislator and then check with NHMS staff to help you.
Provide your own contact information to allow the legislator to follow-up with you.
If the legislator indicates his/her position on the bill or issue, please inform NHMS staff.

U.S. Mail - Effective

Address the envelope to “Honorable John Doe” for representatives and senators.
Use your professional letterhead.
Address the legislator as “Dear Representative Doe” or Dear Senator Doe,” unless you know the person personally, then use their first name.

Phone calls - Effective

Ask to speak with Representative Doe or Senator Doe.
Introduce yourself and ask if they have a few minutes to talk with you about HB 123 or state the issue.
If the legislator is busy, ask when you might call back or offer to leave your own contact information.
If you are asked a question you don’t know the answer to, offer to get back to the legislator and then check with NHMS staff to help you.
When you get an answering machine, clearly and slowly, state your name, the reason for your call and how the person can reach you. “Senator Doe, my name is Dr. Bob Smith. I am a pediatrician in your district. I am calling to ask for your vote in support of SB 456, the bill to reinstate the tobacco tax. Again, my name is Dr. Bob Smith and you can reach me after 5pm at 555-123-4567. Thank you.”

Email - Okay, but too easy for recipient to hit “delete.”

On the subject line, state the issue. For example: “Please support HB 123” or "Please oppose lowering the tobacco tax”
In the email, address the legislator as “Dear Representative Doe” or Dear Senator Doe,” unless you know the person personally, then use their first name.