Third, she and Ms. Plock are in the process of meeting with each local legislator to obtain advice, and hear about upcoming issues. Finally, Ms. Scott attends subcommittee meetings of the Health Care Task Force. This committee may introduce legislation in the 2000 session, which would encourage more children birth to two years to become immunized. The Board asked what opportunities are available for input. It was suggested that letters to committee members and local delegation at early stages of legislation are the most effective input.
Some opportunities exist for testimony during legislative committee hearings.
It is also effective to share Health District philosophy with appropriate lobbyists. It was also suggested that contact be maintained with local legislators. The challenge of public advocacy is being able to respond in a timely manner. Since legislation wording changes often, opportunities for response may happen between board meetings. We may consider e-mailing board members with the anticipated response, and asking them to let us know if they have any problems with that response, and the Board might want to consider empowering their chairman to authorize interim stances.