What's Going Down at the Capitol?
The end of your practice as you know it.
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Optometrists will start performing eye surgery as podiatrists operate above the ankle.
You will pay another new tax that you can't pass on to your patients.
You will never be allowed to refer patients to your own lab, imaging facility, or hospital.
Medicaid, CHIP, and workers' comp reimbursements will drop even further.
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Do something about it. Do First Tuesdays at the Capitol.
Don't take these insults sitting down. Stand with your colleagues and defend your practice.
State Capitol and TMA Headquarters
Tuesdays – April 5, and May 3
Two easy ways to register:
You can register online, or print a registration form (PDF) to fax or mail. Questions? View the brochure online (PDF) or contact us at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1361, or e-mail Paula at paula.frey@texmed.org. If you are a student or resident, please click here.
Visit First Tuesdays FAQs for additional information
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Does it make a difference when medicine shows up at the Capitol? You bet it does! Representatives and senators from both parties have pointed out that “those white coats” in their offices and in the gallery definitely helped pass our historic tort reforms and tough prompt pay bill in 2003. It’s time to bring out Texas medicine’s secret weapon once again. When the Texas Legislature convened in January, they faced big decisions on the future of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Practice Act, serious challenges funding Medicaid and CHIP, and a broken workers’ compensation system.
Perhaps the knottiest problem on the agenda is rewriting our state’s public school finance laws – and the major tax changes that will accompany it. Texas physicians and alliance members must display a big presence in Austin to help make sure the lawmakers don’t try to enact a “sick tax.” Your lobbyists – some of the best in the business – can’t do it without you. The Texas Medical Association and Texas Medical Association Alliance are calling on YOU to be a medical lobbyist for a day.
Physicians, alliances, and medical societies from around the state will converge on Austin the first Tuesday of each month to make an impact at the Texas Legislature. Grassroots political training, legislative briefings, and personal visits to legislators’ offices will be a vital part of First Tuesdays at the Capitol. It is critical that a large number of alliance members and physicians in white coats be on hand to establish a strong medical presence.
FIRST TUESDAYS WILL ENABLE YOU TO:
Make a difference in medicine’s future.
Learn about taxes, physician discipline, Medicaid, scope of practice, and the other challenges medicine faces today.
Visit with 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 TMA legislative affairs staff.
WHAT TO DO NOW!
Select one or both of the remaining First Tuesday dates, register, and make your travel arrangements.
Reserve your room for the Mondays prior to each Tuesday event at the Doubletree Guest Suites no later than two weeks prior to each event. Hotel rooms in Austin are in demand during legislative sessions so don’t delay!
Make an appointment with your legislators.
Contact TMA staff for assistance with appointments or locations for special events with your legislators.
IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT FIRST TUESDAYS:
Physicians are asked to wear white coats while at the Capitol.
The latest legislative talking points and other printed materials will be provided to all participants.
A crash course on grassroots lobbying will be held early on each First Tuesday.
You are urged to schedule your legislative visits beginning at 9:00 a.m.; boxed lunch will be provided at the Legislative Conference Center in the Capitol Building beginning at 11:30 a.m. with an opportunity to meet with key legislators; and, debriefings will be held at the TMA building starting at 4:00 p.m.
You are expected to make your own appointments with legislators. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact TMA at (800) 880-1300 ext. 1361.
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 members and their spouses. If you have participated in First Tuesdays before, please tell your colleagues what a rewarding experience it was. If you need registration forms or any other information, call TMA at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1361.
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2005 FIRST TUESDAYS AT THE CAPITOL
April 5 May 3
AGENDA
Monday, April 4
5:30-7:30 p.m. Reception at Scholz's Garden
1607 San Jacinto
8-11 p.m. NCAA Watch Party
TMA Building - Thompson Auditorium
Tuesday, April 5
7 a.m. Registration and Light Breakfast
TMA Building - Thompson Auditorium
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. Legislative Briefing for students and residents
TMA Building - Thompson Auditorium
7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Lobbying 101
TMA Building - Thompson Auditorium
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Legislative Briefing
TMA Building - Thompson Auditorium
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Visits with Legislators, Committee Hearings, House and Senate Sessions
State Capitol
11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Boxed Lunch
Legislative Conference Center - State Capitol
4 p.m. Debriefing
TMA Building - Thompson Auditorium
NOTES:
Plan your day around your legislators’ schedules!
Check with your county medical society when making your travel arrangements – bus transportation already may have been arranged!
Suites have been set aside at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel for a rate of $159. The hotel is conveniently located between the TMA building and the Capitol at 303 W. 15th Street. Please call (800) 222-8733 for reservations. Don’t forget to mention that you are part of the Texas Medical Association group block.
The Capitol is within walking distance of TMA headquarters and the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel.
Remember: You must reserve your hotel room by the following dates to ensure availability at the special rate:
First Tuesdays event dates
Hotel cut-off dates
April 5
March 14
May April 1
For hotel reservations, please call (800) 222-8733.
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