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How to Contact Your Legislator by Mail:
A well-written concise letter under your letterhead (home or office) is almost always preferable to form letters, emails or phone calls. Close your letter with a question asking the member what specific action he or she will take to follow-up on your request (i.e. cosponsoring, supporting, or opposing a specific bill) and thank him/her for considering your views.
Address your letter correctly:
State Representative:
Honorable John Doe
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Representative Doe:
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State Senator:
Honorable Jane Doe
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Senator Doe:
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U.S. Representative:
Honorable Jane Doe
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congresswoman Doe:
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U.S. Senator:
Honorable John Doe
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Doe:
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How to Meet in Person with Your Legislator:
- Schedule the meeting in advance, whether you would prefer to meet in the district or in the capitol. Be prepared to specify what the meeting will be about. Consult with MPS staff on issues.
- Be on time, be prepared, take material with you as well as your business card. You will rarely have more than 15-20 minutes to state your case.
- Try to personalize the issue. Rather than stating that a bill is "unfair," explain how this affects your practice and/or your patients.
- Volunteer to be a resource contact.
- Follow up with a Thank You note.
Tips:
- Identify yourself as a psychiatric physician (legislators may be unaware that psychiatrists are physicians) and a constituent (a person living in your elected official’s district).
- Identify clearly the specific issue or Bill you are writing about. Contact MPS for talking points or background information
- Be brief. Be sure to have the facts. State your reasons for support or opposition, ask your Member for a specific action (i.e. cosponsoring, supporting, or opposing a specific bill) and thank him/her for considering your views.
- Recognize that legislators are very busy and must weigh issues and assess competing interests.
- Type your letter and include your name and address on the letter itself (choose home or work address if it will locate you in a key district).
- Important: Copy the Michigan Psychiatric Society on your letter and mail or fax a copy to the MPS office. Same for any response you receive.
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