7.   Know the legislative staff.  None out ten times, these are the people you will speak with and write to.  They are invaluable sources of information and the key to your entry into the legislative process.

6.   Your word is your bond.  Never promise something you can't deliver or overstate the relative importance of an issue.

5.  Build coalitions.  There is strength in numbers.  Look for allies everywhere.  In politics, an ally is someone who may disagree with you on every other issue, but supports you on the issue at hand.    Don't assume the opposition is homogenous - finding the one supporting group from the "other side" can be the golden bullet.

4.  Don't waste time on opponents (or legislators) who are publicly opposed to you.  Focus on relationships with allies or people who are flexible and keep an open mind.

3.   Today's opponent may be tomorrow's ally.  Never allow a legislator to consider you a bitter enemy because you disagree.

2.   Thank those that help you.

1.  The power of the ballot box is your, VOTE!

State Resources/Links/Organizations Advocating 
 For Effective Asthma Care

• Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Massachusetts  
  Medical Policy Review
  Blue Cross & Blue Shield regularly reviews its medical policies. For more information, call Electric Blue Review @ 617-832-7415

• Massachusetts Medical Society
  The purpose of the Mass Medical Society is to do all of the things necessary and appropriate to advance medical knowledge and to develop and maintain the highest professional and ethical standards of medical practice. This newly revised informative site contains journal publications, many community health resources and breaking news in the health care industry.
  
  

  Links Within Mass. Medical Society:

  District Medical Societies

  Committees & Task Forces

• Massachusetts Nurses Association
  The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, and by lobbying the legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

• Massachusetts Hospital Association
  Through leadership in public advocacy, education, and information, MHA represents and advocates for the collective interests of its member hospitals and health systems, and supports their efforts to provide high quality, cost effective, and accessible care.  The site also contains links to a multitude of health care related sites across the country.

• Massachusetts Home & Health Care Association
  The Home & Health Care Association of Massachusetts is a statewide organization dedicated to promoting home health care as an integral part of the health care delivery system

• Health Care For All
  Health Care For All's Policy Department monitors and analyzes public policy affecting Massachusetts residents' access to health care. It is affiliated with Health Law Advocates, Inc. (HLA) in Boston, MA, a public interest law firm  founded in 1996. HLA is the only non-profit law firm in the country that is affiliated with a grass roots organization and is dedicated solely to ensuring access to health care for society's most vulnerable members. This alliance has added legal tools to Health Care For All's organizing and policy expertise.

• Healthy Homes for Healthy Kids Coalition
  The mission of the Healthy Homes for Healthy Kids Coalition is to reduce the prevalence of childhood lead poisoning, asthma, injuries, and lack of access to health care that occur because of poverty of the poor conditions in the home.  For more information, call Attieno Davis at (617) 350-7279, Ext. 124 or contact Health Care For All.

• Healthy Homes Project
  The Healthy Homes Project advocates for city and state laws, changes that will regulate policies and problems, and funding sources to responsibly address children's health & housing conditions.  Forty two percent of the homes assessed were affected by asthma.  The Healthy Homes Project serves Chelsea, Cambridge, and Franklin County, Massachusetts. For more information, call (413) 774-3167.  There is no web site yet.

Listed below are links to MA state agencies serving the health and health information needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth:

• State of Massachusetts Homepage
  The official homepage of the Commonwealth.  Click on agencies to navigate to various departments within the government.

• Executive Office of Health &  Human Services  

• Division of Medical Assistance

• Department of Public Health  

• Division of Health Care Finance & Policy 
  Your resource for the latest state health statistics.

• Massachusetts State Senators & Representatives
  Look-up your state senator or representative.  Learn what committees he/she serves on and how to contact him/her to advocate for your patients. 

• Search Current Legislation & Laws in MA
  The Legislature provides this information as a public service.  To verify information about pending legislation, you can call either the Senate Clerk's Office at (617) 722-1276 or the House Clerk's Office at (617) 722-2356.

Federal & National Advocacy Resources

• American Lung Association
  The American Lung Association serves as the hub of a nation-wide legislative network that enables state and local ALA  volunteers to participate in grassroots advocacy on a variety of lung health-related public policy initiatives.
  
  ALA's Congressional Toolbox:  Tips to help you communicate with your legislators.

• American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology
  An organization devoted to the study and treatment of allergic disease through education, research and cooperation.

• American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Media Kit
  This is a free kit for health professionals interested in communicating asthma issues and concerns within their community or with the media.  Free fact sheets and clip art are included.

• Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
  Devoted to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergies through education, research, and advocacy.

• National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
  NCQA is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to evaluate and report on the quality of the nation’s managed care organizations.

• Agency for Healthcare Policy & Research  (AHRQ)
  AHRQ, part of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, is the lead agency charged with supporting research designed to improve the quality of health care, reduce cost, and broaden access to essential services.

• U. S. Department of Health & Human Services
  The Department of Health & Human Services is the federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

Other Advocacy Resources/Links of Interest

• Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts (AGM)
  AGM is the regional association of grantmakers serving the Commonwealth and the premier organization in New England supporting nonprofits engaged in corporate and foundation fund-raising.  AGM bridges the gap between grant-makers and grant-seekers, providing both communities with professional support and skill development opportunities, while elevating the impact of philanthropy.

• The Non-Profit Zone
  This volunteer-run and funded website provides links to information on how to lobby & become actively involved in activities. They will research federal legislators working on topics of interest to you at no cost

• The Non-Profit Lobbying Guide, 2nd Edition,
  by Bob Smucker 
  The Independent Sector has made this publication available.  Download the sections of this book that are of interest to you and your advocacy efforts.  Chapters include "Effective Communication" & "The Legislative Process".

• How to be Heard: A Guide to Advocacy & Community Organizations
  This on-line guide published by the Center for Community Change gives basic tips on advocacy skills such as choosing an issue and overcoming the obstacles.