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First Tuesdays at the Capitol

81st Texas Legislative Session
Feb. 3  •  March 3  •  April 7  •  May 5

The “White Coat Invasion” was key to physicians’ successes in the Texas Legislature in 2003, and 2005, and again in 2007. Physicians and alliance members make a big impression when they show up en masse at the Capitol. Our senators and representatives listen when their hometown doctors show up in their offices. It’s time to bring out Texas medicine’s secret weapon again.

For starters, we plan a full-scale push for health insurance reform when the Texas Legislature convenes in January. Your patients need lawmakers to pass the Health Insurance Code of Conduct Act of 2009. We’ll also play offense on obesity, immunizations, and other public health issues, and we’ll ask legislators to help keep our newly graduated physicians here in Texas.

And who’s the best lobbyist for your patients? YOU are! TMA can’t do it without you. When it comes to defense, your patients and your colleagues need your help in protecting our 2003 medical liability reforms, medicine’s exclusions from the new business tax, and your right to own and invest in health care facilities. And don’t forget our biennial battles over allied health care practitioners’ attempts to expand their scope of practice … without regard to patient safety.

The Texas Medical Association and Texas Medical Association Alliance are calling on YOU. Be a medical lobbyist for a day. You will make a difference.

Physicians, alliance members, and medical students from around the state will converge on Austin the first Tuesday of each month to reenact the White Coat Invasion. Lobbying tips, legislative briefings and debriefings, and personal visits to legislators’ offices are all part of First Tuesdays at the Capitol. Your patients need you to be there. 

See where medicine stands on the issues that are most important to you and the patients of Texas.

As part of First Tuesdays you will:

• Make a difference now and for medicine's future.
• Learn about the health plans' scare tactics, Medicaid shortfalls, scope of practice challenges, and the other hurdles medicine faces today.
• Inform your senator and representative and their aides about these issues.
• Attend committee hearings and House and Senate sessions.
• Share what you've learned with each other and the TMA lobby team.

What to do now:

• Register for one, two, or all of the First Tuesdays dates; contact your county medical society or alliance; then make your travel arrangements.
• Reserve a room at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel by calling (800) 222-8733. Hotel rooms in Austin are in high demand during legislative sessions, so don't delay!
• Make an appointment with your legislators.
• Contact TMA or your county medical society for help with making appointments or finding locations for special events with your legislators. 

Important Points to Remember

• If you are a doctor, please wear your white coats while at the Capitol.
• TMA will provide legislative talking points and other printed materials.
• Legislative visits are from 8 am to non; boxed lunch and debriefings will start at noon, with more time for legislative visits from 1 to 4 pm.
• Please make your own appointments with legislators. If you need assistance or have questions, contact your medical society or call TMA at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1361.
• Hosting a special lunch or reception with your legislators or delegation is an option. If you need suggestions, contact your county medical society or TMA.
• Plan your day around your legislators' schedules!
• Check with your county medical society before making travel arrangements. Group transportation may have been arranged.
• Remember: Rooms are in short supply during the legislative session and many members already have reserved rooms throughout the session. You must reserve your hotel room no later than two weeks prior to each First Tuesdays event, but to ensure availability at the discounted rate, please call now to reserve your room. The Doubletree is conveniently located between TMA and the Capitol.

Please help spread the word that First Tuesdays at the Capitol  needs physicians and alliance members from all over Texas, and that it is open to all members and their spouses. If you participated in 2003, 2005, and/or 2007, tell your colleagues what a rewarding experience it was to walk down the halls of the Texas Legislature in your white coat. If you need more registration forms or any other information, call your county medical society or TMA at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1361.

April 7 is the Dedicated Students and Residents First Tuesday

Attention medical students and residents: The future of medicine is now! April 7 is the dedicated Students and Residents First Tuesday at the capitol! The TMA lobbying team will provide briefings on the issues most important to you. Receive talking points and grassroots training, then march to the Capitol and make a difference in your education and your future!  

Agenda at a Glance

All events held at TMA headquarters in the Thompson Auditorium unless otherwise specified.

Learn more about what's at stake in 2009. For more information about the Texas Legislature and for TMA's legislative policy briefs, see TMA's Texas Legislature page.

A limited number of rooms are available at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel at a negotiated rate, but they fill up fast! Make your reservations as early as possible by calling (800) 222-8733. Don't forget to mention that you are attending First Tuesdays at the Capitol with Texas Medical Association and TMA Alliance! If you have any questions about First Tuesdays, contact Paula Frey with TEXPAC or Sandy Solís with TMAA.

Notes

• Plan your day around your legislators’ schedules!
• Check with your county medical society before making your travel arrangements; the staff may have arranged group transportation!
• The Doubletree Guest Suites has set aside suites for First Tuesday participants at a rate of $189. The hotel is conveniently located between TMA and the Capitol at 303 W. 15th St. Please call (800) 222-8733 for reservations. Don’t forget to mention that you are attending First Tuesdays at the Capitol with TMA and TMA Alliance!
• The Capitol is within walking distance of TMA headquarters and the Doubletree. 

Remember: Reserve your hotel room by the following dates to ensure availability at the special rate:

One voice for the family of medicine!

Learn how to get involved today!

Last Published: 9/3/2008