CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
Fall 2019 Issue |
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A Letter from the PSV President and Past Presidents
Dear PSV members,
As the current and past presidents of PSV, we feel that it is of vital importance to send this special message to all PSV members. While much of the nation’s attention is on the 2020 presidential race 2019 is an election year right here in Virginia that we must not overlook.
All 140 seats of the General Assembly, our state legislature, will be on the ballot this November. It is not an overstatement to say that it may be one of the most critical elections for the Commonwealth in a generation. Both chambers are under narrow partisan control, and the chances of one or both houses flipping are higher now than they have been in the last couple of decades.
In addition to partisan dynamics, current political and social factors are combining in ways that have increasingly threatened physicians and patients. In an effort to address healthcare access and cost, policymakers on both sides of the aisle are supporting measures that are of strong concern to physicians and our patients.
PSV is working to protect patient safety and access to high-quality care from highly-trained physicians, but various voices and interests throughout the state are demanding attention from lawmakers. An effective government relations effort is comprised of three strategies—professional lobbying, grassroots advocacy, and political action.
PsychMD Political Action Committee (PAC) is our profession’s voice in the political process. Contributing to the PAC is investing in your profession, patients, and high-quality healthcare from psychiatrists. While we have a talented lobbying team in Richmond, our PAC is falling behind. It’s critical to have a strong and robust PAC that allows us to support lawmakers who support psychiatry and our patients.
Every year the legislature considers bills that could impact our profession and patients. Mental and behavioral health are major issues every year. Mid-level providers continue to act aggressively in ways that cause concern for physician practice and patient safety. Our PAC enables us to help keep legislators in the General Assembly who support our profession and patients, and to better introduce ourselves to and educate newly elected lawmakers.
We ask that you make a contribution today to the PAC and that you encourage your fellow psychiatrists to contribute. Given the tough issues and close elections we expect in 2019, we ask that you consider donating a minimum of $100.00 (any amount is welcome).
It’s easy to contribute; see the options below:
- Online: Visit the Legislation page at www.psva.org to contribute online.
- By check: Mail a check payable to PsychMD PAC with your full name and contact information to 118 N. 8th Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Get the form here.
Thank you to those who have already contributed this year and thank you all for your support.
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PSV 2019
FALL MEETING
October 4-5, 2019
Sheraton Virginia Beach
Oceanfront Hotel
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