On September 30th, I had the opportunity, as a volunteer, to participate in the American Heart Association’s FLY-IN day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. There were several reasons that I volunteered to participate for the Fly-In, and of course to be active with Grass Roots Advocacy. First of all, I have been involved with Healthcare in some form or another for approximately 13 years and I have been in constant contact with physicians, nurses, and patients. Daily, I hear testimonials of struggle and pain with the healthcare system and of course I have many personal stories of family toil with disease and strangulating medical bills.
My “Lobby Day” on Capitol Hill was a truly enlightening and rewarding experience. Some of you have had this experience before ( I would love to hear your stories) and in fact it was my second such visit over the last three years. I was the lone representative from the State of Kentucky for the Grassroots Advocacy of the American Heart Association, and I had the opportunity to converse, one on one, with my local Congressman, Ben Chandler, and with our Senator's Chief of Staff's on HealthCare. In these meetings I had discussions about Cardiovascular disease, financial impact, research and development, patient access, healthcare affordability and reform. Also, I had the opportunity to hear the position and stance from Health Care Committee Chairman Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and I was involved in a Q&A with the White House's internal advisor on Health Care. From these meetings, I was able to gain their insight and perspective to bring back to the AHA and to my Territory.
Furthermore, I had the opportunity to connect with and hear some amazing testimonials from patients and families affected by Cardiovascular Disease. I know that these Representatives hear from hundreds of constituents everyday, but I was, as a normal citizen, able to raise a few unknown points and peak some interest from a different perspective, the AHA perspective.
In conclusion, We, as constituents, as citizens, can affect change and our voices can be heard. Write the letters, make the calls, vote: Get involved; this is your country and your life.
Sincerely,
Matt Rudacille
AHA Volunteer
My “Lobby Day” on Capitol Hill was a truly enlightening and rewarding experience. Some of you have had this experience before ( I would love to hear your stories) and in fact it was my second such visit over the last three years. I was the lone representative from the State of Kentucky for the Grassroots Advocacy of the American Heart Association, and I had the opportunity to converse, one on one, with my local Congressman, Ben Chandler, and with our Senator's Chief of Staff's on HealthCare. In these meetings I had discussions about Cardiovascular disease, financial impact, research and development, patient access, healthcare affordability and reform. Also, I had the opportunity to hear the position and stance from Health Care Committee Chairman Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and I was involved in a Q&A with the White House's internal advisor on Health Care. From these meetings, I was able to gain their insight and perspective to bring back to the AHA and to my Territory.
Furthermore, I had the opportunity to connect with and hear some amazing testimonials from patients and families affected by Cardiovascular Disease. I know that these Representatives hear from hundreds of constituents everyday, but I was, as a normal citizen, able to raise a few unknown points and peak some interest from a different perspective, the AHA perspective.
In conclusion, We, as constituents, as citizens, can affect change and our voices can be heard. Write the letters, make the calls, vote: Get involved; this is your country and your life.
Sincerely,
Matt Rudacille
AHA Volunteer
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