Launch Your Advocacy Journey with PA AAP Today!
PA AAP has launched a new grassroots advocacy tool, enabling members to become more involved in the Chapter's advocacy efforts and better understand the pediatric policy landscape in the Commonwealth. To access our Advocacy Action Center, PA AAP members must register using the "LOG IN | REGISTER" tab in the righthand corner of the PA AAP menu, above, and await approval. Questions about the Advocacy Action Center tool or the Chapter's advocacy initiatives can be directed to [email protected].
PA AAP Advocacy Initiatives
The PA AAP Blueprint for Children outlines our Chapter's policy positions on a wide range of topics relating to children's health and wellbeing. It also highlights PA AAP's top policy priorities for the current legislative session. The Blueprint is developed and maintained by the Advocacy Committee, which is made up active of PA AAP members. The Blueprint is intended to inform legislators, public health officials, and Chapter members of the official policy positions of the PA AAP.
View our updated Blueprint for Children here.
View our updated Blueprint for Children here.
Advocacy Committee
The PA AAP Advocacy Committee tracks legislation relevant to children’s healthcare and related issues, provides testimony on bills, and updates the Board of Directors on the state budget process and the specific ways in which it may impact children’s healthcare. The Committee works in collaboration with AAP subcommittees and groups who are invested in children’s health care. The goals of the Committee are to consider issues of importance to the children of Pennsylvania that have been affected by local, state, and national legislative action; to research and discuss such issues as they are brought to the attention of the Committee by its members, Chapter members, and others; and to recommend appropriate actions to the Executive Committee after such study and discussion. All Chapter members are welcome to join this committee.
PA AAP Advocacy Day in Harrisburg
Each year the Chapter sponsors an Advocacy Day in Harrisburg. This annual day provides PA AAP members and staff the opportunity to come together as advocates for the community of children we serve across PA.
During this annual event, pediatric residents, fellows, and medical students from across PA decide on a specific health issue and decide on one or several bills to educate Representatives on and advise them as whether to support or oppose. During this program, they learn about the bills from pediatric advocates, participate in lobbying workshops and meet with their legislators to advocate for bills that affect children and families.
Each year the Chapter sponsors an Advocacy Day in Harrisburg. This annual day provides PA AAP members and staff the opportunity to come together as advocates for the community of children we serve across PA.
During this annual event, pediatric residents, fellows, and medical students from across PA decide on a specific health issue and decide on one or several bills to educate Representatives on and advise them as whether to support or oppose. During this program, they learn about the bills from pediatric advocates, participate in lobbying workshops and meet with their legislators to advocate for bills that affect children and families.
Why Advocate?
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Advocacy provides a mechanism to create long-term solutions for issues encountered every day by pediatricians and the children and families they serve.
Throughout its history, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has advocated for child health and its members. We have a strong Legislative Committee which works with the Executive Board and the Chapter’s Lobbyist, John Nikoloff, on forwarding the Chapter’s health policy priorities in Harrisburg and in the community. Individual members are invited to join in the advocacy efforts of both the Chapter and National AAP. Members can represent PA AAP and leverage the voice of 2300 members to speak on behalf of children at statewide coalitions and participate in policy development. |
Your voice matters!
As a pediatrician, you are probably advocating every day on an individual and community level for the benefit of your patients. Not all pediatricians want to advocate on the legislative level but many who have become involved in state and federal advocacy find that it energizes their clinical work. There are many systemic barriers to health and care for the children we treat and voicing our concerns can help our patients. Pediatricians are experts in child health and while we can hire expert lobbyists and consultants on the legislative process, nobody can tell stories of kids like pediatricians can. Pediatricians are trusted members of the community and bring a unique understanding of the health implications of policy actions on the populations they serve. |
Get Started
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AAP Advocacy Resources |