Objection: "I don't have time to be a member."
Answer: Being a member is about more than attending meetings. We know your focus is taking care of your patients, which leaves little time to fight the battles that are facing your profession. That's why TMA is relentlessly working for you and your patients. Whether it's representing medicine in Austin and Washington, D.C., meeting with third-party payers to get you paid, developing practice management tools and seminars for you and your office staff, or creating programs to improve public health, TMA has long been a physicians' best advocate. The more members we have, the more we can do on your behalf.
Objection: "I can't afford to join. It is too expensive."
Answer: TMA offers a wide variety of benefits and services no matter what stage of your career. On average, your county medical society and TMA dues are a great investment at about only $2 per day. That's less than one tall Starbuck's coffee.
Objection: "My spouse is a member, and we can't afford to pay double dues."
Answer: When you both are members, you're guaranteed "double benefits." Your TMA membership benefits only apply to you and do not extend to your nonmember spouse. And, unless both of you join, you are only giving half your support to your own cause.
Objection: "I belong to too many associations already."
Answer: With nearly 45,000 members, TMA is one of the most powerful and effective organizations representing Texas physicians. Although you may receive specific benefits from other associations, TMA is the only one that speaks for the profession of medicine as a whole and has the clout to be heard. TMA membership is the best investment you can make in your profession.
Objection: "How can I make a difference? I'm just one person."
Answer: TMA prides itself on representing the interests of all Texas physicians and their patients. As a member, you have many opportunities to influence TMA's policies and positions on important issues. As a member of a strong organization like TMA, you have clout with policymakers. For example, we couldn't have passed meaningful tort reform without the grassroots efforts and united voice of our physician and medical student members, and the TMA Alliance. As a nonmember, you really are just one lone voice.
Objection: "I'm just not interested."
Answer What projects could we work on to get your interest? Ultimately it is you who decides how active you want to be and where your interests lie.
Objection: "I want to think it over." OR "Can you just mail me some information?"
Answer: TMA would be happy to send some information to you or answer your questions. Simply contact TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955 orknowledge[at]texmed[dot]org. We are continually looking for ways to enhance the value of TMA membership.
Objection: "There isn't any reason for me to join - I will still receive the benefits TMA works for anyway."
Answer: Joining TMA is about strength in numbers and professional pride. TMA and its component county medical societies currently represent nearly 45,000 Texas physicians and medical students. The more Texas physicians we represent, the more power we have as a group, and the more we can accomplish for each and every physician and the patients they serve. When you remain a potential member, you are actually joining the side against us.
Objection: "I don't agree with a lot of things TMA does."
Answer: TMA is a member-driven, democratic association and no member will agree with the majority on every issue. TMA policy is determined by majority vote only after all sides of the issue have been considered and debated. Every member has a chance to voice an opinion through representative governance structures at every level of the association. As a member, you can take an active role in decision making--vote, hold office, and provide testimony on proposed TMA policy to your peers. If you don't get involved, you can't make a difference. Ultimately it is you who decides how active you want to be and where your interests lie.