Take Action Today: Contact Your Lawmaker during the Critical August Recess Period

August is typically a time reserved for vacation and kicking back. But if you’re a small business owner, employee or family member of the small business community, your action this month will affect the debate over the hottest topic of the summer— healthcare reform and how it will impact small business.

 

When it comes to healthcare reform, small business wants change that will help, not hurt, small business. But the key to success is for every one of us in the small business community to pitch in and do our part. And that begins with you getting involved in the many activities that are taking place across the country during what Congress refers to as the August in-district work period (also known as the August recess). This is an opportunity for lawmakers to come home and hear directly from you, their constituents—and perhaps most important, the voters they represent.

 

As a constituent who pulls the lever each and every election cycle, August is your opportunity to inform, educate and remind your elected officials that you are a valuable and productive member of the community who is directly affected by the votes they cast—and so, too, is your local economy. Take a moment to recite to your lawmaker the “Top 10 Reasons” why “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009” (H.R. 3200) is the wrong approach for small business. Follow that up by specifying what small business does want from healthcare reform-cost, choice and competition.

As we debate what will happen with healthcare, the small business voice has never been more important than right now. With that in mind, we have assembled a quick list of pointers to help you and your employees prepare for the town hall, small business roundtable or Rotary lunch in your hometown— where healthcare reform will certainly be discussed.


Click here to contact your elected officials and learn about upcoming town hall meetings.

 

Be polite.  Like mom always said, “Please and thank you should not be an afterthought.”

Be brief. At a town hall meeting, there are typically a lot of audience members who want to speak, so share a brief story (30–45 seconds) and then ask your question. Thank your lawmakers. Be sure to remind them that you will be following along with the debate—and checking back regarding their position as the debate moves forward. Tell them that your employees will do the same.

Don’t be nervous. Remember, your lawmakers represent you. Your tax dollars help pay their salary, so they work for you. They want to hear from you and will appreciate your participation.

What matters most is the experiences you share with them at these meetings. Your story provides them with an invaluable amount of information. Remember, you are the best resource many of them will have to better understand how the policies they are considering in Washington, D.C., will affect you at home and at your business.

If you can't attend a town hall, there are other ways you can make an impact this August: