Each year AADE hosts a public policy and advocacy workshop, and I have had the privilege to attend this event the last couple of year. This year when I received the invitation for the 2016 Public Policy Forum, I was surprised to see it would be held in Rosemont, IL (a suburb of Chicago) and not in Washington, D.C. My first thought was "What can we get done in Chicago?"
I was pleasantly surprised how much we accomplished! The day and a half workshop was one of the best I have attended. Our 2016 President, Hope Warshaw, shared the AADE 2016-2018 Strategic Plan and the reasons why and how we should be engaged in social media. I am pleased to see that one of the four key priorities is Value-Based Services for Population Health Management. Diabetes educators and DSME are the basis of population health and we need to be involved in our healthcare system's population health management strategies.
When I left Chicago, I felt energized and more confident about being involved in advocacy. The biggest take away for me was the importance of developing relationships with your legislators. You can become a resource for them and their staff. It is critical to let them know who a diabetes educator is and what it is we do.
One of AADE Advocacy's new aims is "20 for 3 in 2017" -- 20 visits with different legislators in 2017 to be entered to win 3 registrations the the Annual Meeting in 2017. Our patients and careers depend on our advocacy efforts. It all starts with you being a registered voter.
Lisa Ranes, RD, CDE
State Grassroots Coordinator
Montana Coordinating Body
Learn more about AADE Advocacy initiatives and take action at any time by visiting our website at diabeteseducator.org/advocacy.
To access presentations, videos, and resources from Public Policy Forum 2016, visit the Advocacy Forum on MY AADE NETWORK.