Be a Very Influential Physician
The Very Influential Physicians (VIP) program was developed to help physicians, residents and medical students take on a leadership role in grassroots activities and to build and leverage connections with members of Congress to advance our shared agenda on Capitol Hill.
VIP Program Overview
If you have a relationship with a member of Congress or their staff - whether it’s a personal friendship, serving as a campaign supporter or working together in a professional capacity - and your aim is to develop a better relationship with them, we can help you in this process and maximize the value of these key contacts. And if you don’t have a connection with a member of Congress but are interested in developing one, we can help you establish these relationships.
Together with other American Medical Association (AMA) VIPs, you will have the opportunity to personally educate and engage members of Congress on issues important to organized medicine. You are a trusted source to them and, as an authority on health care, they will listen to what you have to say.
As a VIP, you can have great impact on forming health care-related legislation and educating members of Congress on issues that matter to the AMA.
Benefits
Build relationships with members of Congress
Access exclusive advocacy webinars & resources
Receive tailored VIP newsletters
Issues in Focus
Our VIPs advocate on key health care issues impacting patients and physicians. Learn more about our current priority issues below.
Supporting telehealth
The benefits of expanded telemedicine are clear. We’re advocating to permanently expand coverage of telehealth services to encourage greater patient access to care.
Reforming Medicare payment
Medicare payment cuts would lead to devastating consequences for Medicare patients and our health care system. It’s vital that Congress work with the physician community to develop long-term solutions to the systemic problems with the Medicare physician payment system and preserve patient access.
Fixing prior authorization
Prior authorization is not only an administrative nightmare, it’s a barrier to providing timely, patient-centered care. We’re speaking out to #FixPriorAuth.
Resources
VIP Insider
As a VIP, you’ll receive a tailored newsletter straight to your inbox every month. Within each edition of the VIP Insider newsletter, you will find upcoming events, congressional updates and more. Check out an archive of previous VIP Insider newsletters here.
VIP Congressional Calendar
As a valued member of the VIP program, we want to make sure that you’re up to date on when Congress is in session in Washington, D.C. and when members are back home for district work periods. VIPs receive an exclusive branded Congressional Calendar to help you plan your advocacy efforts more efficiently—whether in D.C. or in your home district.
Access the 2024 VIP Congressional Calendar here.
Members of Congress List
Get to know the 118th U.S. Congress. Familiarize yourself with new members, physician members and key committee members across the House and Senate by referencing our list here.
Advocacy Update
Check-out the latest AMA Advocacy Update for exclusive advocacy news and information on key national and state issues impacting physicians, patients and the overall health care environment.
Tips for Creating Meaningful In-District Engagements
Members of Congress host and attend various in-district events throughout the year which offer constituents unique opportunities to share concerns and provide direct feedback to lawmakers on timely issues. We’ve compiled 12 Tips for Creating Meaningful In-District Engagements to help you leverage these opportunities.
Guide to Physician Advocacy
Members of Congress depend on subject matter experts, like you, to create effective legislation that helps their constituents. Check out the AMA’s Guide to Physician Advocacy to find information about:
- Where to reach members of Congress.
- How to effectively communicate with members of Congress.
- What resources AMA has available to support your efforts.