Welcome to ACA's Advocacy Center! Here you will find all the tools needed to become a grassroots ACAdvocate for the chiropractic profession — from contacting your member of Congress to becoming an ACA Key Contact — it's as simple as clicking on the links below.
The ACAdvocate program provides ACA members with opportunities to advance the chiropractic profession by becoming part of the political process.
In 2003, ACA was ranked the 19th most effective grassroots healthcare lobbying associations , earning a higher rating than the American Physical Therapy Association (#24) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (#21)— and among such industry giants as the American Medical Association (#2) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield (#6). Let's keep the momentum going!
Whether you have only a few minutes to spare or want to be involved on a regular basis, ACAdvocate will provide the materials you need to be successful. Look for the
icon to indicate Express ACAdvocate activities that can be completed in minutes . Interested in volunteering for something more in-depth? Look for the
the icon representing the Enduring ACAdvocate activities.
Join us in increasing visibility of the chiropractic profession on Capitol Hill today!
ACAdvocacy Tool Chest: Click on the underlined titles below to participate in that activity.
Legislative Action Center: Urge your member of Congress to support chiropractic-friendly legislation by contacting them directly via email/fax through the Legislative Action Center. Don't know who your member of Congress is or unsure of what to write? Don't worry, follow the prompts on the Legislative Action Center to enter your contact information which will automatically provide you with the names of your members of Congress and the Center will provide you with a form letter hitting all the important points. Also, the Legislative Action Center is updated to reflect the latest pro-chiropractic legislation/issues in U.S. Congress. Click here to visit the
Legislative Action Center Join ACA's Key Contact Program: Do you have a special relationship with your member of Congress or a member of their staff? Do you want to fight for chiropractic on Capitol Hill? Do you want to be a part of ACA's Grassroots & Advocacy team? If you answered yes to these questions, sign up to be a Key Contact today! The goal of the ACA Key Contact program is to foster relationships between ACA members and all 535 members of Congress. Occasionally, Key Contacts are called upon to alert their members of Congress to important legislative issues, to attend local fundraising events to deliver contributions made on behalf of the ACA-Political Action Committee (ACA-PAC).
Sign up here! Patient Advocacy Network Get your patients involved!Alert your patients to legislation impacting chiropractic by displaying ACA
issue alerts in your office and providing information on how easy it is to take action! Chiropractic patients are among the profession's top advocates and provide some of the best testimonials on the benefits of chiropractic care.
Click here for materials to display in your office.
Request an appointment with your member of Congress while they are in your home state: Follow up on the letter you sent using the ACA's Legislative Action Center by requesting an appointment with your member of Congress when they are back in your home state. Although members of Congress spend a bulk of their time in Washington, DC, nothing is more important to them than getting back to their districts to meet with their constituents. It is every member of Congress' job to represent you in Washington, DC — let your voice be heard on behalf of the chiropractic profession and patients.
Click here for information you will need to make your appointment, including a sample request for appointment letter and tips for an effective meeting.
Host a Meet and Greet for Member of Congress: A meet and greet is an excellent opportunity for ACA members to exchange ideas with members of Congress or candidates running for office. Typically conducted as an informal meeting, meet and greets allow members of Congress and their staff to hear what issues matter most to their constituents. For more information on hosting a meet and greet, please click
here. If you are interested in hosting a meet and greet, contact ACA Department of Government Relations to find out more (800)986-4636 or email:
gr@acatoday.org Become Involved in a Political Campaign: There is no better way to develop relationships with members of Congress or candidates than by volunteering on their election campaign. For information on volunteering on a Congressional campaign, contact ACA Department of Government Relations (800)986-4636 or email:
gr@acatoday.org Register To Vote: Even though the 2004 Presidential Election seems like it just passed, the mid-term elections of November 2006 are quickly approaching. In 2006, Americans will go to the polls to elect all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and in 33 states, American will vote for members of the U.S. Senate. Make sure that everyone you know is registered to vote. For more information,
click here.
Attend the ACA's National Chiropractic Legislative Conference (NCLC) in March 2006: NCLC brings hundreds of doctors of chiropractic, chiropractic students and state association executives to Washington, DC to meet with their members of Congress to discuss issues that matter most to DCs and patients. In past years during the General Session, attendees have heard the nation's top political leaders speak, including: members of President Bush's cabinet — Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson and Secretary of Veterans' Affairs, Anthony Principi, the Navy Surgeon General, Vice Admiral, John Arthur, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, Senators Grassley, Harkin, Allen, and much more.
Click here for information on NCLC 2005.
What's New in ACA's Department of Government Relations? Visit the Government portion of the ACA website to learn about ACA's legislative priorities — such as expanding chiropractic care to all Veterans health care facilities and within the Department of Defense, and much more. For the latest information,
click here.
