About ConnAPA

Descriptions of Officers

Legislative Committee

Purpose

1. Establish Connecticut as the premier state for physician assistant practice.
2. Promote the visibility of the Connecticut Academy and the physician assistant profession through legislative endeavors.
3. Promote full utilization of Connecticut physician assistants in all practice settings through enabling legislation, improved professional status and appropriate reimbursement.

Make Up

The Legislative Committee is made up of fellow members of ConnAPA, ConnAPA lobbyist and any interested parties selected by the Committee Chair. Ex officio members include President, President Elect and Regional Directors.

Two sub-Committees report to the Legislative Committee, Professional Practice and Reimbursement. The Chairs of each Subcommittee are also members of the Legislative Committee.

Responsibilities

1. Promote enabling physician assistant legislation to the Connecticut General Assembly.
2. Monitor, support or oppose relevant health care legislation.
3. Establish and communicate annual legislative agenda to legislators, state agencies, providers and other provider organizations.
4. Create and maintain “key contact” system of members to contact representative and senators in the member’s district.
5. Provide written or verbal testimony to legislative committees as deemed necessary.
6. Through the Committee Chair, oversee activity of ConnAPA lobbyist.
7. Oversee activity of all Legislative ad hoc and Subcommittees.
8. Attend legislative fund raising events as necessary.
9. Meet as often as needed to conduct business.
10. Monitor federal legislative activity as necessary and relevant to Connecticut.
11. Establish and maintain liaisons with other health care organizations’ legislative offices.
12. Respond to membership questions regarding interpretation of relevant state laws and regulations.
13. Post appropriate communications to members through ConnAPA’s Newsletter, Capitol Wiz, Web Page, e-mail and direct telephone calls.
14. Maintain files and documentation on pertinent legislative related activity.
15. Support AAPA endeavors towards improved federal legislation and regulation.
16. Provide a report to the President biannually.
17. Provide a report to the general membership at the annual meeting.
18. Establish an annual budget.

Competencies

1. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing in potentially stressful circumstances.
2. Familiarity with word processing & internet.
3. Basic knowledge of Connecticut legislative process.
4. Willingness to communicate with state legislators and policy makers.
5. Ability to attend legislative hearings at potentially short notice.
6. Willingness to represent ConnAPA at legislative fund raising events.

Time Commitment

1. Ability to meet in person with lobbyists, provider organization representatives, legislators and state agency representatives with short notice.
2. Ability to attend and testify at hearings at the state Capitol.
3. Attend Committee meetings or conference calls as frequently as monthly before and during legislative session.

Annual Calendar

July

• Attend fund raising events

August

• Attend fund raising events

September

• Committee meeting
  Draft upcoming legislative agenda
• Attend fund raising events
• Submit Ethics Committee report

October

• Meet with CSMS legislative representatives
• Meet with CAFP legislative representatives
• Meet with CHA legislative representatives
• Attend fund raising events

November

• Meet with the Legislative Committee Chairs
• Attend fund raising events

December

• Committee Meeting
  • Review proposed legislation
  • Establish position
• Attend hearings as required

January

• Committee Meeting
• Attend hearings as required

February

• Attend hearings as required

March

• Committee Meeting
• Attend hearings as required
• Submit Ethics Committee report

April

• Attend hearings as required

May

• Attend hearings as required

June

• Attend fund raising events