Texas Medical Association President Ray Callas, MD, is a self-described “true believer” in the importance of physician advocacy.
“I’ve seen it work, time and time again,” he said.
As the TMA Board of Trustees’ strategic plan – Transforming Texas Medicine – continues to get operationalized, this month’s Texas Medicine outlines the third goal of the plan, which aims for TMA to be the influential, unified voice of Texas medicine and physicians.
“We [physicians] do have the ability to make a difference in our communities, our state, and in our profession if we stand united and advocate with one voice,” Dr. Callas said. “People do listen to us – that’s why it’s important to get to know your local legislators and spend the time needed to educate him or her about the issues that harm your ability to care for your patients.”
To achieve that goal, TMA’s strategies include:
- Prioritizing policies and legislative issues that impact physicians and their patients;
- Engaging in TMA’s grassroots advocacy as physicians, medical students, and TMA Alliance members throughout the year;
- Developing strategic alliances that expand TMA’s influence;
- Influencing legislative issues through strong physician participation; and
- Protecting patients by defending against scope-of-practice expansions.
Successfully protecting Texas’ medical liability reforms through legislative education and advocacy; encouraging physicians, alliance members, and medical students to visit with state and federal lawmakers on issues important to medicine; and conducting an inventory of TMA’s alliances and coalitions to evaluate their relevance and effectiveness are just some of the ways TMA already is achieving its goal.
TMA also established a top 10 list of legislative priorities through the Council on Legislation that is communicated to TMA members through Texas Medicine, Texas Medicine Today, and TMA’s website, and the association is working to boost 2025 attendance at First Tuesdays at the Capitol by encouraging more than 900 physicians, medical students, and alliance members to participate in TMA’s signature advocacy event.
In addition, TMA continues to educate members about its political action committee, TEXPAC, and its influence, train and encourage physicians to testify at the Texas Capitol on TMA’s behalf, and develop advocacy materials to educate lawmakers about pertinent scope issues.
“When I travel the state this year to meet with my peers, I’m going to encourage everyone to get involved in TMA’s advocacy efforts,” Dr. Callas. “It begins with knowing who represents you, then building a relationship with your local lawmakers. All you need to do is pick up the phone or write them an email. It’s just that easy.”
Texas Medicine will continue to feature the five goals outlined in TMA’s five-year strategic plan in future issues. For more information, visit
www.texmed.org/Leadership.