Insight Matters
Spring 2005

Outside Lobbyist Will Enhance Advocacy Efforts

As we all know, our organization's power to affect legislation comes from our grassroots strength - the quality and quantity of letters, other communication and personal contacts with our individual legislators. In addition to our grassroots efforts, the OPA's Government Relations Committee, chaired by Kenneth Miller, M.D., and our Executive Director, Janet Shaw, are very active reviewing and addressing legislative matters, regulatory issues, rules and regulations and judicial decisions, which are pertinent to mental health and to the practice of psychiatry in Ohio.

Already this year, 251 bills have been introduced in the Ohio House and another 146 in the Ohio Senate. The OPA is actively involved in lobbying to address several legislative bills that impact scope of practice, alternative treatments, confidentiality of medical records, mental health parity, and the state biennial budget. In order to enhance our advocacy efforts and strengthen our efforts at the Statehouse, at its April 2005 meeting, the OPA Council approved contracting with Dan Jones, and his lobbying firm, Capitol Consulting, Inc. to represent the OPA and its members. Mr. Jones and his team of two other lobbyists, bring unique insight and abilities to governmental affairs representation in Ohio earning the trust and respect of key elected officials and department officials on both sides of the political aisle. Working closely with our executive director, our government relations committee, and directing our grassroots efforts, Mr. Jones and his team, will assist us in enhancing our efforts to be both vigilant and vocal to effectively enact our organization's legislative priorities!

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